Of resilence and empowerment : a single case study exploring the mental health of a Jewish woman who immigrated to Canada as an independent applicant

Melissa Feldman

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14655672.v1

Abstract

This was a single case study, which explored the mental health issues affecting a Jewish woman who immigrated to Canada as a principal applicant. The study looked at the coping strategies “Cecile,” a 69-year-old participant who emigrated from Czechoslovakia in 1986, used during her integration vs. settlement process. There were three semi-structured interviews. The theory of intersectionality was used to examine the intersecting impact of social identities such as racialized status, ethnicity, gender and class have on the participant’s mental health. Cecile provided insight into the resilience of Jewish immigrant women. The social identities Cecile identified with were Judaism, professional status, citizenship, country of origin and immigrant status. The results also show that Cecile displayed resilience in overcoming obstacles. Further research is needed to understand whether other women who have immigrated as independent applicants, Jewish or not, share this resilience. Key Words: Case Study, Mental Health, Resilience, Intersectionality, Coping Strategies

Highlights

Women are allowed to apply as principal applicants, having the man apply is the usual practice even if the couple has the same level of education and earning potential (Guruge, Collins, and Bender, 2010, p. 117)
The findings of this study suggest that the qualities discussed in this Major Research Paper (MRP) are associated with resilience
Further research is needed to understand whether other immigrant women who have immigrated to Canada as independent applicants, Jewish or not, share the same qualities and resilience

Summary

Introduction

19% of all women admitted to Canada are immigrating independently. Under the current system, when a heterosexual married couple immigrates to Canada, the man tends to apply as the principal applicant under the economic class, and the woman is assigned dependent status. Women are allowed to apply as principal applicants, having the man apply is the usual practice even if the couple has the same level of education and earning potential According to Banerjee and Phan, “In most cases, the women are designated as the dependent applicant during the immigration process because they have lower levels of the human capital that is valued for Canadian immigration” The number of women immigrating independently through the economic class has been steadily rising over time The number of women immigrating independently through the economic class has been steadily rising over time (Guruge, Collins, and Bender, 2010, p. 114)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion