Family Influences on the Emotional Well-being of Newcomer Youth in Canada By Iqbal Ahmed Chowdhury A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Department of Sociology University of Manitoba Winnipeg © Copyright by Iqbal Ahmed Chowdhury 2015 Abstract An issue yet to receive much attention in the literature in medical sociology is how family systems may influence the emotional well-being of youth in Canada, particularly among newcomer youth. This study applies the family systems model of Kitzman-Ulrich and her colleagues as the principal theory to examine the emotional well-being of newcomer youth in Canada. Using data from the New Canadian Children and Youth Study (NCCY) on 979 newcomer youth, it explains how family systems and other factors may influence emotional health of newcomer youth. Data were analyzed using multiple approaches. The multivariate analysis includes seven Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models – examining and comparing different groups: an overall model, and separate models for male, female, Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong Chinese, Filipino/a, and immigrant are performed. The results of this study reveal that variables within the family systems model are weak predictors of the presence of emotional problems among newcomer youth in Canada. Among four family systems variables used in the analyses, family cohesion, permissive parenting, and parental discipline are either weak or insignificant predictors; only parental praise is statistically significant. Furthermore, they are weak predictors compared with other factors beyond the family, such as age, time in Canada, being bullied at school, being immigrant, use of illegal/controlled substances, and being from a Mainland or Hong Kong Chinese group (for females only). The thesis ends with a discussion of limitations, future research, and policy suggestions. ii Acknowledgements Throughout this thesis for my second master‘s degree in a country different from my own, I am indebted to many people for their cooperation, academic assistance in various sectors of the thesis, and moral support in coping in an unfamiliar socio-cultural environment. I would like to express my profound gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Lori Wilkinson, who showed me the prospective field of my thesis at the very beginning of our conversations through emails and finally guided my thesis in the right direction. She not only considered me as her thesis student, but also helped me find out appropriate dataset that saved both my time and a great amount of money. Her cooperative, caring, and amiable personality helped me not to feel stressed while doing the thesis. She allowed me to discuss with her my thesis whenever it was needed. Her methodical supervision, necessary comments, and encouragement helped me to give my thesis an academic shape. On top of that, while providing me with academic support in my research, Dr. Wilkinson helped me at the time of difficulties I faced as an international student. Without her guidance and strong supervision it would not have been possible for me to complete my thesis on time. I am indebted to her in many ways in helping with my master‘s program also. The authority of New Canadian Children and Youth Survey (NCCYS) allowed me to use their data in my study. Without their permission it may not have been possible for me to complete my study in my desired field. I am grateful to them. I gratefully acknowledge the help of Dr. Laura Funk, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, and Dr. Randy Fransoo, Assistant Professor, Community Health Science, University of Manitoba. They assisted and provided me with necessary directions during my thesis work. They sacrificed their valuable time to read my thesis and give comments on it, which was helpful for me to organize the thesis. I would like to acknowledge the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship and the International Graduate Students Entrance Scholarships from the University of Manitoba as sources of my funding, which assisted me in completing my thesis along with my MA degree. I am also thankful to the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology for allowing me to travel abroad for higher study with a paid study leave as per the university rules. My heartiest gratitude goes to my mother too. She, as my only source of inspiration and well wisher, sacrifices a major portion of her life to help me become an educated person. Her iii relentless encouragement and support pave the ways of hoping for better and restoring efficacy in times of emotionally challenging moments. Whatever I am now is the result of her sacrifices. iv Dedicated to my parents: Jahanara Begum Chowdhury & Late Abdul Bari Chowdhury v TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents page Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………….. ii Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………............. iii Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………………….. vi List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………………………. viii List of Figure ………………………………………………………………………………………... ix Chapter 1: Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….. 1 1.1 Background of the Study ……………………………………………………………………... 1 1.2 Mental Health Situation of Youth in Canada ………………………………………............... 2 1.3 Focus of the Study …………………………………………………………………................. 3 1.4 Research Question …………………………………………………………………………..... 6 1.5 Significance of the Study …………………………………………………………………….. 6 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………... 7 Chapter 2: Review of Literature Theoretical Framework ....……………………………….. 9 Introduction ……………...……………………………………………………………………….. 9 2.1 Review of Literature …………………………………………………………………………. 10 2.1.1 Family Cohesion and Mental Health …………………………………………………….. 10 2.1.2 Parenting and Mental Health ………………... ………………………………………….. 11 2.1.3 Dysfunctional Family and Mental Health ……………………………………………..... 14 2.1.4 Parental Depression and Mental Health ……………………………………………….... 15 2.1.5 Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors and Mental Health ………………………….. 15 2.1.6 Victimization, Discrimination, and Mental Health ……………………………………... 18 2.1.7 Use of Illegal/Controlled Substances by Youth and Mental Health …………………… 18 2.1.8 Studies Using NCCYS Data ……………………………………………………………... 19 2.2 Theoretical Framework ……….. …………………………………………………………….. 21 2.2.1 Sociological Theories on Mental Health Problems ...……………………………………. 21 2.2.2 Family Systems Theory and Mental Health ………………….………………………….. 23 2.2.3 Bowen‘s Family System Theory: A History of the Concept ...………………………….. 24 2.2.4 ―Modern‖ Family Systems Theories…………………………………...………................ 26 2.2.5 Kitzman-Ulrich‘s Family Systems Theory ………….…………………………………... 28 Summary and Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………... 32 Chapter 3: Data Source and Methodology……………………………………………………….. 34 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………… 34 3.1 Data Source …………………………………………………………………………………... 34 vi Contents page 3.2 Description of Sampling and Sample ………………………………………………............ 36 3.3 Description of Methods Used ………………………………………………………………... 39 3.4 Operationalization of Variables …………………………………………………................... 41 3.4.1 Dependent Variable………………………………………………………………............ 42 3.4.2 Independent Variables……………………………………………………………............ 43 3.5 Assumption Checks ……………..……………………………………………………............ 53 3.6 Benefits and Limitations of Using Secondary Survey and NCCYS Data …………………… 55 Chapter 4: Results and Discussion …………………………………………………….................. 57 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………. 57 4.1 Results of the Bivariate Analyses ………………………………………………………......... 58 4.1.1 Family Systems Indicators and their Influences on the Presence of Emotional Problems 58 4.1.2 The Influence of Socioeconomic and Demographic Variables on the Presence of Emotional Problems ……………………………...………………………………………......... 59 4.1.3 The Influence of Other Variables on the Presence of Emotional Problems ……………... 60 4.2 Multivariate Analysis on the Factors Influencing the Presence of Emotional Health Problems ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 62 4.2.1 Three-Step Regression Model Results ……...………………………………………........ 63 4.2.2 Are Emotional Health Problems Differ for Males and Females? …….……………......... 67 4.2.3 Are the Influences of Family Systems Variables Different Among the Ethnic Groups?... 71 4.2.4 Removing Refugees from Sample: Effects on Emotional Problems ………………......... 76 4.3 Discussion ………………………………………………………………………………......... 79 4.3.1 Family Systems Theory and Emotional Problems ...…………………………………….. 79 4.3.2 The Influence of Socioeconomic and Demographic Variables .……………………......... 81 4.3.3 The Influence of Other Variables ….…………………………………………………….. 83 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………... 84 Chapter 5: Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………… 85 5.1 Summary of the Study ……………………………………………………………………….. 86 5.2 Contribution to Sociological Research ...…………………………………………………….. 89 5.3 Policy Relevance ……………………………………………………………………………... 90 5.4 Future Research ……………………………………………………………..………………... 92 5.5 Concluding Thoughts ………………………………………………………………………… 93 References ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 95 Appendix 1 Items Used in the Derived Variables .…………………………………………………. 113 Appendix 2 Questionnaire Used in the NCCYS to Collect Data …………………………………... 115 vii LIST OF TABLES Tables Page Table 3.1 Characteristics of the Study Population 38 (Youth).................................................................. Table 3.2 Items used in the Emotional Problems Index …………………………….......................... 43 Table 3.3 Factor Loadings for Family Cohesion, Risk Behaviour in the Family, and Dysfunctional Family Variables …………………………………………………………………………… 45 Table 3.4 Factor Loadings for Permissive Parenting and Parental Praise Variables ……………….. 47 Table 3.5 Factor Loadings for Use of Illegal/Controlled Substances by Youth …………………… 51 Table 3.6 Descriptive of Independent Variables ………………………………………………….... 53 Table 4.1 Cross-tabulations and Chi-square Test of Significance for Emotional Problems by Family Systems Variables…………………………………………….................................... 59 Table 4.2 Cross-tabulations and Chi-square Test of Significance for Emotional Problems by Socioeconomic and Demographic Variables ………………………………….................. 61 Table 4.3 Cross-tabulations and Chi-square Test of Significance for Emotional Problems by Other Variables ……………………………………………………............................................... 62 Table 4.4 Unstandardized and Standardized Regression Coefficients for Predictor Variables on Emotional Problems Measurements (Overall Model) …………………………………...... 66 Table 4.5 Unstandardized and Standardized Regression Coefficients for Predictor Variables on Emotional Problems Measurements (Male Model) …………………………. 69 Table 4.6 Unstandardized and Standardized Regression Coefficients for Predictor Variables on Emotional Problems Measurements (Female Model) …………………………. 70 Table 4.7 Unstandardized and Standardized Regression Coefficients for Predictor Variables on Emotional Problems Measurements (Mainland Chinese 73 Model)………………………….. Table 4.8 Unstandardized and Standardized Regression Coefficients for Predictor Variables on Emotional Problems Measurements (Hong Kong Chinese Model) ……………………..... 74 Table 4.9 Unstandardized and Standardized Regression Coefficients for Predictor Variables on Emotional Problems Measurements (Filipino Model) ……………………......................... 75 Table 4.10 Unstandardized and Standardized Regression Coefficients for Predictor Variables on Emotional Problems Measurements (Immigrant Model)……………………...................... 78 Table A.1 Items Used to Derive Parental Stress Variable ………………………………………...... 113 Table A.2 Items Used to Derive Parents‘ Perception of Discrimination...………………………….. 114 Table A.3 Items Used to Derive Parental Sense of Belonging in Canada Variable ………………... 114 Table A.4 Items Used to Derive Victimization at School Variable……………..………................. 114 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 1 Model Framework ………………………………………………………………................... 31 ix Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Health and well-being is an important goal for any individual, family, society, and country. It is in a country‘s best interest that its newcomers have access to programs and resources that ensure health and well-being, not only because of its moral obligations, but also as a cost-saving measure. Programs and policies that promote health mean reduce health care costs later on. To accomplish this goal, the government of Canada, like many other countries, is committed to ensure the health and well-being of its population irrespective of age, sex, race, or citizenship status. Because, the country has been experiencing the arrival of a large number of immigrants over the past five decades, health has become a prominent concern. According to the report of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (2013) between 2004 and 2013, approximately 885, 556 children and youth arrived in Canada – about 35% of all newcomers were 24 years of age or younger – a sizeable demographic group. Among them about 14% were refugee children and youth, 59% were from 0-14 years old and 41% were aged 15-24 years (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2013a, 2013b). In summary, the health and well- being of newcomer children and youth is a crucial aspect for the Canadian government in order to make a healthy and active nation. Readers should be aware that one in five children and youth living in Canada were not born here (Beiser et al., 2011:103; Statistics Canada, 2011), and that number is significantly higher in Canada‘s biggest cities. In some areas of Toronto, for example, over 80% of the high school population was born outside the country. 1