Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in Canada
Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and mental health disorders (MH) present significant challenges to Canadian Children. While there is increased awareness, the NDD/MH service needs and barriers to service for immigrant children in Canada are unclear. Therefore, the present study explor...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/468 |
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| author | Rachel Germaine Cluett Tasmia Hai |
| author_facet | Rachel Germaine Cluett Tasmia Hai |
| author_sort | Rachel Germaine Cluett |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and mental health disorders (MH) present significant challenges to Canadian Children. While there is increased awareness, the NDD/MH service needs and barriers to service for immigrant children in Canada are unclear. Therefore, the present study explores NDD and MH problems and management among Canadian children compared to immigrant children. Method: An online survey was administered to eligible participants using AskingCanadians. A total of 682 parents (Mean age = 31.8, <i>SD</i> = 7.4), 41.3% of whom were immigrants, completed the survey. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires related to mental health in general, child MH and NDD service needs, social support and use and barriers to accessing services. Results: Results showed that immigrant participants reported significant underuse of child mental health services (1.5 times less use) despite a higher reported child need. Similarly, a higher frequency of children born to Canadian parents reported accessing NDD/MH assessment referrals compared to immigrant families. Parents of children referred for NDD/MH assessment also reported a higher prevalence of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, parents of children presenting with NDD/MH concerns overall reported a significantly higher impact of barriers to their child’s education compared to parents whose children did not present with NDD/MH concerns. This effect was driven by Canadian parents of children with NDD/MH reporting increased barriers. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of considering cultural background in clinical approaches to MDD/MH services. There is a need to increase awareness and reduce stigma regarding service access. Furthermore, the findings reiterate the ongoing challenges families of children with NDD/MH challenges face in accessing support. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3b1ba9e1344a49dabd2b362a8e142add |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-3b1ba9e1344a49dabd2b362a8e142add2025-08-20T03:13:30ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-04-0112446810.3390/children12040468Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in CanadaRachel Germaine Cluett0Tasmia Hai1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, CanadaDepartment of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1X1, CanadaBackground: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and mental health disorders (MH) present significant challenges to Canadian Children. While there is increased awareness, the NDD/MH service needs and barriers to service for immigrant children in Canada are unclear. Therefore, the present study explores NDD and MH problems and management among Canadian children compared to immigrant children. Method: An online survey was administered to eligible participants using AskingCanadians. A total of 682 parents (Mean age = 31.8, <i>SD</i> = 7.4), 41.3% of whom were immigrants, completed the survey. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires related to mental health in general, child MH and NDD service needs, social support and use and barriers to accessing services. Results: Results showed that immigrant participants reported significant underuse of child mental health services (1.5 times less use) despite a higher reported child need. Similarly, a higher frequency of children born to Canadian parents reported accessing NDD/MH assessment referrals compared to immigrant families. Parents of children referred for NDD/MH assessment also reported a higher prevalence of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, parents of children presenting with NDD/MH concerns overall reported a significantly higher impact of barriers to their child’s education compared to parents whose children did not present with NDD/MH concerns. This effect was driven by Canadian parents of children with NDD/MH reporting increased barriers. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of considering cultural background in clinical approaches to MDD/MH services. There is a need to increase awareness and reduce stigma regarding service access. Furthermore, the findings reiterate the ongoing challenges families of children with NDD/MH challenges face in accessing support.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/468neurodevelopmental disordermental healthchildrenfamilyimmigrantsupport |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Germaine Cluett Tasmia Hai Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in Canada Children neurodevelopmental disorder mental health children family immigrant support |
| title | Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in Canada |
| title_full | Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in Canada |
| title_fullStr | Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in Canada |
| title_short | Understanding Disparities: Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Supports and Barriers for Immigrant Families in Canada |
| title_sort | understanding disparities mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges supports and barriers for immigrant families in canada |
| topic | neurodevelopmental disorder mental health children family immigrant support |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/468 |
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