Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Doctor of Education

Program

Education

Supervisor

Crooks, Claire

Abstract

Effective programs to support the healthy development and well-being of youth who have immigrated to Canada are needed. This integrated-article dissertation accentuated the perspectives of refugee and immigrant youth to identify considerations for programming and strategies to promote their healthy development. The first paper (Chapter Two) utilized focus groups to explore newcomer youths’ experiences relocating to a new country and advice for other youth who have recently arrived in Canada. We identified five overarching themes across groups through thematic analysis: (1) moving to a new county is hard, (2) maintain a healthy mindset, (3) take an active role in the adjustment process, (4) stay true to who you are, and (5) you are not alone. Findings captured the hardships of adapting to a new country while also demonstrating participants’ resilience, coping skills, and strategies to lead meaningful lives.

The second paper (Chapter Three) utilized youth voice to identify considerations for developing programming to support newcomer youths’ relationships and well-being. We applied group concept mapping and identified six concepts as follows, in rank order of importance: create a space for sharing; discuss relational issues; teach strategies for adjusting to a new country; teach skills for wellness; have feel-good activities; and plan for diversity. Participants’ lived experience and their own attendance in programming at newcomer-serving organizations provided a basis for them to brainstorm what types of activities, topics and skills they believe would be helpful for other newcomer youth, as well as considerations for facilitators implementing such programming.

Finally, the third paper (Chapter Four) evaluated the acceptability of an evidence-informed healthy relationships program with newcomer youth at three newcomer-serving agencies. Using a mixed-methods case study approach, the perspectives of youth participants, program facilitators, and agency administrators suggested the program is promising in terms of fit and acceptability. Stakeholders also identified how facilitators can tailor content and activities to be more accessible and culturally meaningful for immigrants and refugees. Taken together, the findings from these papers highlight the perspectives of newcomer youth and advance understanding of how to support their adjustment and healthy development.

Summary for Lay Audience

Effective programs to support the healthy development and well-being of youth who have immigrated to Canada are needed. This research focused on the perspectives of immigrant and refugee youth to identify considerations for programming and strategies to promote their healthy development. The first paper (Chapter Two) utilized focus group discussions to explore youths’ experiences relocating to a new country and advice for other youth who have recently arrived in Canada. We analyzed data and identified five main themes: (1) moving to a new county is hard, (2) maintain a healthy mindset, (3) take an active role in the adjustment process, (4) stay true to who you are, (5) and you are not alone. These findings captured the challenges of living in a new country while demonstrating youths’ resilience, coping skills, and strategies to lead meaningful lives.

The second paper (Chapter Three) used youth voice to identify considerations for developing programming to support immigrant and refugee youths’ relationships and well-being. Using group concept mapping, we identified six concepts: create a space for sharing; discuss relational issues; teach strategies for adjusting to a new country; teach skills for wellness; have feel-good activities; and plan for diversity. Participants’ lived experience and their own attendance in programming at newcomer-serving organizations provided a basis for them to brainstorm what types of activities, topics, and skills they believe would be helpful for other newcomer youth, as well as considerations for facilitators leading programs.

Finally, the third paper (Chapter Four) evaluated an evidence-informed healthy relationships promotion and violence prevention program to determine if it is appropriate and useful for immigrant and refugee youth at three newcomer-serving agencies. Using a mixed-methods case study approach, the perspectives of youth participants, program facilitators, and agency administrators suggested the program is appropriate and has benefits for youth. Recommendations were also provided for how to adapt content and activities to be more accessible and culturally meaningful for youth. The findings from these papers advance our understanding of how to support immigrant and refugees’ adjustment and healthy development.

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