Above chaos, quest, and restitution: narrative experiences of African immigrant youth\u2019s settlement in Canada

Roberta Lynn Woodgate,David Shiyokha Busolo

doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5239-6

Roberta Lynn Woodgate, David Shiyokha Busolo

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5239-6

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Abstract

BackgroundAfrican Immigrant and refugee youth represent an increasing group of newcomers in Canada. Upon their immigration, youth experience challenges that have the potential to lead to poor health, yet little is known about their settlement journey. Accordingly, this qualitative study examines the settlement journey of African immigrant and refugee youth with a focus on how their experiences were shaped by the social determinants of health.MethodsWe conducted a total of 70 interviews with 52 immigrant and refugee youth (ages 13–29 years) who had arrived in Canada in the preceding six years. Qualitative data was analyzed using Frank’s dialogical narrative analysis approach (Frank AW, Practicing Dialogical Narrative Analysis. In: Varieties of Narrative Analysis, 2016).ResultsYouth experienced different settlement journeys that are described in the three narrative typologies of chaos, quest, and restitution. The chaos narrative of a long road ahead revealed the themes of ‘facing challenges’ and ‘still the outsider.’ The quest narrative of not there yet was represented by the themes of ‘stepping out of your comfort zone’ and ‘being relentless.’ The theme of ‘supportive environments’ depicted the restitution narrative of dreams become a reality. Youth highlighted the impact of social determinants of health in their settlement.ConclusionYouth experienced different settlement journeys that were mired in chaos and challenges. However, youth were more likely to experience restitution when they received social support and found a sense of belonging. In future, policies and programs that seek to improve immigrant and refugee youth’s settlement experiences need to be multifaceted, offer more support and promote a sense of belonging.

Highlights

African Immigrant and refugee youth represent an increasing group of newcomers in Canada
Design A qualitative research study design using narrative analysis approach was used to examine the settlement journey of African immigrant and refugee youth with a focus on how their experiences were shaped by social determinants of health
Our study examined the journey of African immigrant and refugee youth in their settlement in Canada and how their experiences were shaped by social determinants of health (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

African Immigrant and refugee youth represent an increasing group of newcomers in Canada. Upon their immigration, youth experience challenges that have the potential to lead to poor health, yet little is known about their settlement journey. In 2012, youth made about 234,793 (12%) of the immigrants and 23,094 (21%) of the refugees that were admitted to Canada [3] Of those young migrants who became permanent Canadian residents in 2012, almost half. Youth come to Canada as either convention refugees or immigrants and receive different forms of support. Immigrants (Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominees or Canadian Experience Class) come to Canada for non-humanitarian reasons and are generally responsible for their settlement.

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