Thesis Format
Integrated Article
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
Sociology
Supervisor
Haan, Michael
Abstract
Canada’s immigration system is recognized for its diversity, offering various pathways for individuals worldwide to resettle. Immigrants arrive through distinct streams, each shaped by specific pre-arrival criteria and supported by post-arrival services. Initially, immigrants tend to exhibit better health than the Canadian-born population, a concept known as the "healthy immigrant effect." However, this health advantage diminishes over time, impacting not only physical but also mental health, with the latter receiving less research attention. Despite the growing recognition of mental health as a crucial component of well-being, mental health outcomes among immigrant groups have been less frequently studied than physical health outcomes. Mental health trajectories differ considerably across immigrant categories, and the effect of pre-arrival criteria and post-immigration support on mental health outcomes and immigrant resettlement to Canada remains underexplored.
This dissertation addresses this gap by utilizing nineteen years of health administrative data to examine mental health outcomes among different immigrant groups in Ontario, Canada. It comprises three interrelated studies that explore how immigration category, resettlement patterns, and post-mental health diagnosis outcomes shape immigrants' mental health and well-being. The first study identifies differences in mental health outcomes based on immigration category, age at immigration, time period, and immigration cohort effects, illustrating the complexity of mental health trajectories. The second study examines the role of resettlement experiences, particularly residential mobility, and the impact on mental health outcomes among immigrant groups. The third study investigates the link between the first visit to acute care with a mental health diagnosis and subsequent receiving formal disability support, revealing how these outcomes differ by immigration category and their implications for long-term well-being.
Collectively, these studies highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions that account for the unique experiences of each immigration category to promote well-being and support successful acclimatization to Canada. This research also underscores the importance of further exploration into the mechanisms driving these differences, providing policymakers with crucial insights into the intersection of mental health, immigration policy, and resettlement. Ultimately, this dissertation contributes to the field of immigrant mental health research in Canada, offering key findings for future policy development.
Summary for Lay Audience
Canada’s immigration system offers multiple pathways for individuals worldwide to resettle, with each immigration stream governed by distinct pre-arrival criteria and supported by post-arrival services. Upon arrival, immigrants often experience better overall health and mental health than the Canadian-born population, a phenomenon known as the "healthy immigrant effect." However, this initial health and mental health advantage declines over time. Mental health among immigrant groups has received less research attention than physical health. Despite growing recognition of the importance of mental health as a key component of well-being, the mental health outcomes of immigrant groups remain underexplored, particularly concerning the impact of pre-arrival conditions and post-immigration supports.
This dissertation analyses nineteen years of health data to examine mental health outcomes among different immigrant groups in Canada, and it includes three related studies. The first study examines how mental health outcomes vary depending on immigration category, age at immigration, time period, and immigration cohort. The second study explores how immigrants’ residential moves during their first five years of arrival within Ontario, Canada, affect their mental health. The third study examines the connection between mental health diagnoses and later receiving formal disability support, showing how outcomes differ across immigrant groups and their long-term well-being.
This dissertation highlights the importance of providing mental health support that meets the unique needs of different immigrant groups to help them adjust and thrive in Canada. It also emphasizes the need to better understand why mental health differences exist among immigrants, so policies can be designed to offer better support. By addressing a gap in knowledge about the mental health challenges immigrants face, this research offers important insights to help improve future policies.
Recommended Citation
Babe, Glenda, "The Association of Immigration and Resettlement on Mental Health and Disability Outcomes: Evidence from Administrative Data" (2025). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10668.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10668