Children Of Immigrant Parents Research Articles

Health Disparities Among Children in Immigrant Households: New York City 2009 and 2017.

We tested the hypothesis that children in New York City (NYC) with an immigrant parent were more likely to lack health insurance and report poorer parent-rated health compared to those of US-born parents in this serial, cross-sectional study using existing data from 2009 to 2017 among children age < 12 years in two NYC health surveys. Main outcomes were parent-reported responses for (1) child insurance coverage and (2) child general health status. In multivariable logistic regression models, we estimated likelihood of outcomes for children of immigrants compared to those of US-born parents, adjusting for child, parent, and household characteristics. We included 2,637 children in 2009 and 7,042 in 2017 in NYC. In 2017, children of immigrant parents were more likely to experience uninsurance than children of US-born parents [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.36 (95% CI: 1.05-5.31)]. Compared to children of US-born parents, children with an immigrant parent were more likely to have a gap in insurance coverage in both 2009 (AOR 1.88; 95% CI: 1.08-3.27) and 2017 (AOR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.06-2.41). Although more children of immigrants had poor/fair health than those of US-born parents in both years, differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for covariates. Our findings among a sample of children eligible for health insurance suggest policies intended to expand child health care access did not equitably reach children of immigrants despite their eligibility for health insurance. Tailored interventions for children of immigrants are needed to mitigate disparities in health insurance coverage.

Prevention of caries and obesity in children with immigrant background in Norway- a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundImmigrants are known to experience greater socioeconomic stress and poorer well-being and to suffer more from lifestyle- and diet-related disorders than native populations. There is also evidence that children of immigrant parents are at greater risk of diverse health problems than their host country cohorts. The aim of this study is to apply and evaluate the efficacy of an early life intervention program among parents/children with immigrant background to prevent childhood caries and obesity, thereby improving the children’s general health, oral health, and quality of life.MethodsThis is a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled intervention follow-up study. In phase I of the study, the primary care health centers in the municipality of Bergen, Norway were randomly allocated to intervention or control groups. The intervention was carried out using the motivational interviewing technique and the common risk factor approach. The intervention group received guidance on diet/oral hygiene and the control group received standard care information. Parental knowledge and children at age 3 and 5 years old will be assessed in a prospective phase II follow-up study compared to native Norwegian controls. The primary outcome will be evaluation of change on parental oral health related knowledge and attitudes. The secondary outcome will assess the impact of the intervention on children’s caries -, body mass index- and oral health related quality of life.DiscussionCollaboration between dental public health and primary health care personnel on the common risk approach motivational intervention offers opportunities to address key dietary behaviors that may prevent obesity and dental caries. Providing sustainable preventive measures decreases the burden of diseases and consequently reduces health inequalities, particularly among at-risk children.Trial RegistrationThe study is registered as a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05758454: 7 March 2023). Ethical approval has already been granted by the Regional Ethical Committee (REK) (2015/ 27,639 /REK vest) and Sikt – Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research (Reference number 778825).

Immigrant mothers as advocates: Understanding how Korean immigrant mothers of children with disabilities navigate special education in the USA

Despite a myriad of linguistic and cultural barriers, immigrant parents of children with disabilities in the United States have adopted a variety of advocacy strategies. Drawing upon the frameworks of Community Cultural Wealth and Ecological Systems Theory, this study explores how Korean immigrant mothers of children with disabilities advocate for their children within the special education system in the United States. Seven Korean immigrant mothers participated in semi-structured focus group interviews. The findings reveal that these mothers use various strategies, such as seeking resources, attending training, and engaging with support networks within the Korean immigrant community. They also proactively acquired knowledge of special education policies and sought assistance from legal advocacy groups. However, they face challenges in accessing information due to linguistic barriers and a lack of clear descriptions of their children's rights and available services. They also identified that their intersecting racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender identities contribute to their experiences of discrimination and disadvantage. The study underscores the importance of providing tailored information, enhancing community support, and addressing systemic barriers to empower immigrant mothers within the special education system. Implications for schools, school psychologists, and families are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.

Horizontal Advantage: Choice of Postsecondary Field of Study Among Children of Immigrants.

Educational expansion has raised the influence of sorting across postsecondary educational fields on children's future life chances. Yet, little is known about horizontal ethnic stratification in the choice of field of study among children of immigrant parents, whose parents often have moderate absolute levels of education relative to native-born parents but tend to be positively selected on education relative to nonmigrants in the origin country. Using rich administrative data from Norway, we study the educational careers of immigrant descendants relative to the careers of children of native-born parents. Our results show that children of immigrants from non-European countries have a higher likelihood of entering higher education and enrolling in high-paying fields of study compared with children of natives, despite having poorer school grades and disadvantaged family backgrounds. However, immigrant parents' positive selectivity provides limited insight into why children of immigrants exhibit high ambitions later in their postsecondary educational careers. These findings document a persistent pattern of horizontal ethnic advantage in postsecondary education in which ambitious children of immigrants are more likely to enter into more prestigious and economically rewarding fields of study than their fellow students with native-born parents.

Fragile functionality: The experience of immigrant young adults in Israel who grew up with a parent addicted to alcohol

Studies have highlighted the emotional, social and behavioral effects for children growing up with a parent addicted to alcohol. The current study enhances the current literature in two major ways. Firstly, it focuses on a unique group of young people, children of immigrant parents who face simultaneous challenges related to immigration, as well as an addicted parent. Secondly, it aims to enrich the literature by understanding the subjective experience of these young people, today adults, as well as the ways in which they coped with the challenges they encountered. In this phenomenological qualitative study, 15 immigrant young adults from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) in Israel, who grew up with at least one parent who became addicted to alcohol after immigration, were asked about their experiences growing up. The thematic analysis identified four themes: 1) The immigration experience; 2) Living in the shadow of a drunk parent; 3) Coping mechanisms and 4) The current impact of childhood experiences. The analysis highlighted the way in which two environment stressors – immigration and an alcohol abusing parent- intertwine on multiple levels to shape the young person’s experience. It also highlighted the duality of the young people’s experience, which we have termed “fragile functionality”: young people who, on the surface, function, take on parental roles, succeed at school and other developmental tasks and yet hold within them intense feelings of anxiety, fear, and chaos, feelings which they are terrified will overwhelm and topple their fragile emotional balance. An understanding of this duality can be critical for those working with immigrant families, whether social workers, teachers or therapists.

Trends and determinants of organised sports participation in immigrant and Australian children: A nine-year follow-up.

This study aimed to examine trends and determinants of organised sports participation among children of immigrant parents from low-and-middle-income countries, high-income countries, and Australian children. Longitudinal (nine-year follow-up). Data were from the birth-cohort of Australian Children aged 6-15 years with follow-up between 2010 and 2018. Organised sports participation was measured using two items about regular participation in team and individual sports. Multilevel logit modelling was used to assess the determinants of organised sports participation across groups. Both team sports participation and individual sports participation increased between 6 and 11 years and declined between 11 and 15 years across the three groups. Children of immigrant parents from low-and-middle-income countries (OR 0.65; 95 % CI 0.57-0.74) and high-income countries (OR 0.82; 95 % CI 0.76-0.89) had lower odds of team sports participation than Australian children. Children of immigrant parents from low-and-middle-income countries had lower odds of team sports participation (OR 0.79; 95 % CI 0.69-0.90) than children of immigrant parents from high-income countries. Female children, high screen time, high psychological difficulties, increased number of siblings and low socio-economic position were identified as determinants of lower team and individual sports participation. The present study identified evidence of disparities in organised sports participation among children of immigrant parents and Australian children. Multilevel and multicomponent interventions to promote children's organised sports participation should be prioritised, with a focus on children of the female sex, older children, children with lower socioeconomic status, and children with higher screen time and higher psychological difficulties.

Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Recovery from Childhood Behavioral or Conduct Problems: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Sample of 3-17 Years Old US Children.

Our study provides nationally-generalizable evidence on the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in diagnosis and recovery from childhood behavioral or conduct problems. We pooled data from 4years (2016-2019) of the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) for 3 to 17years old US children (N = 114,476). We performed several logistic regression models using complex survey data analysis statistical methodologies to estimate nationally representative and generalizable results in the Stata MP 16 program. About 20.1% of 3-17years old US children previously diagnosed with behavioral or conduct problems no longer had the current diagnosis (were recovered). Hispanic children [Odds ratio (OR) 0.77, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.65-0-95], immigrant children or children of immigrant parents (first or second generation immigrant children), and children from high-income families [200-399% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)] were about 23%, 38%, and 21% less likely than non-Hispanic White children, children of US native parents, and children with a family income of below 100% FPL to be currently diagnosed with behavioral or conduct problems, respectively. Conversely, Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children were about 50% and 40% more likely than non-Hispanic White children to recover from a past diagnosis. Moreover, children from higher-income families (at or above 300% of FPL) were between 1.59 to 1.79 times more likely than those from low-income families (below 100% FPL) to recover from a past diagnosis. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in diagnosing appear to persist in recovering from behavioral or conduct problems.

Home-Based Parent Involvement, Parental Warmth, and Kindergarten Outcomes Among Children of Immigrant Parents

ABSTRACT Research Findings: Immigrant families who represent a growing share of the early schooling population face unique challenges related to involvement in their children’s education. This study examined whether and to what extent home-based parent involvement and parental warmth are associated with the socio-emotional and academic outcomes of children of immigrant mothers during the kindergarten year – a critical and sensitive period for later school success. The study sample included 9,187 children from the base year of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–11. Among the major findings, the study revealed that Hispanic and Asian immigrant parents, on average, were less frequently involved in home-based activities and reported less warmth than U.S.-born parents. Additionally, greater frequency of home-based parent involvement was associated with better interpersonal skills for both children of Hispanic immigrant mothers and children of Asian immigrant mothers, but home-based involvement was also positively associated with reading and math scores for children of Asian immigrant mothers. Moreover, the association between home-based involvement and socio-emotional outcomes was manifested broadly among poor children of immigrant mothers. Practice or Policy: The findings highlight the importance of understanding cultural differences in parent involvement and parenting styles to enhance immigrant children’s educational experiences.

Trends and determinants of organised sports participation in immigrant and Australian children: A nine-year follow-up

Introduction: Organised sports participation brings health benefits to children and adolescents, including physical, psychological, and social health. However, there is a scarcity of research on specific population groups such as immigrant children. This study aimed to examine trends and determinants of organised sports participation among children of immigrant parents from low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC), high-income countries (HIC), and Australian children.

Migration is associated with baseline severity and progress over time in autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from a French prospective longitudinal study.

BackgroundThe prevalence of autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) has been shown to be higher in migrant families, but it is also a challenge for health care professionals to offer adequate services to families that face multiple challenges. In the context of the EPIGRAM study (a French prospective, multisite, longitudinal observational study implementing integrative care practices (ICPs) for children with ASD), we aimed to assess the impact of migration on children with ASD.Method and findings89 children with ASD aged 3 to 6 years old (92% males) were recruited and followed up for 12 months. The children were clinically assessed using several instruments. At baseline, children had severe autism on average on the Children Autism Rating Scale (CARS, mean = 44; SD = 6.51) and moderate autism on the PsychoEducational profile-3-R (PEP-3-R) maladaptive behavior category (mean = 30; SD = 29.89). Thirty percent of the families had a low socio-economic status, and 56% were first-generation immigrants. For all clinical variables, children of immigrant parents had more severe autism and developmental delays at baseline. A linear mixed model established an improvement in all clinical characteristics over the 12 months of the study. This trend may be attributed to ICPs or any naturally occurring event during that period. Families shared this positive view over time. However, the improvements were slower for two clinical dimensions of the PEP-3-R in children from migrant families. For the inappropriate behavior category, the time effect diminished by an average of 0.83 percentile/month for children whose parents were migrants vs. children whose parents were non-migrants. Similarly, for verbal behavior characteristics, the time effect diminished by an average of 1.32 percentile/month for children whose parents were migrants vs. children whose parents were non-migrants.ConclusionDespite an overall positive improvement, we found that migration is associated baseline severity and progress over time in children with ASD. There is an urgent need to target the migrant population with specific research and understand the avenues that carry such higher severity.Clinical trial registrationStudy registration on clinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT02154828.

Latinx Adolescent Perspectives on the Effects of United States Immigration Policy on Wellbeing

In a prospective cohort study of Latinx adolescents living in an agricultural county in California, we examined perceptions of federal immigration policy and its effects on community and individual wellbeing. From May to December 2017, 565 youth responded to an open-ended item integrated into ongoing surveys. Median age was 14 (range 13–16 years), 53% female, and 94% Latinx. About 12% were immigrants, 71% children of immigrant parents, and 52% had a parent employed in farm work. Most (78%) indicated they directly experienced or observed effects of current federal immigration policies. Adolescents described anti-immigrant sentiment as heightening discrimination, isolation, fear, and mental health changes. They also perceived constraints on future educational and employment opportunities. These findings suggest that the federal immigration policy environment can negatively impact the wellbeing of youth in Latinx communities and that immigration policy should be considered a social determinant of health.

Hospitalized Children With Limited English Proficiency: The Strive to Improve Analgesia.

Hospitalized Children With Limited English Proficiency: The Strive to Improve Analgesia.

Transition to adulthood: experiences of service providers working with immigrant disabled adolescents and young adults in Norway

The demographic landscape of Norway is diversifying. These changes present challenges for frontline professionals working with immigrant parents raising children with disabilities. This article explored service providers’ perspectives on the challenges they face in delivering services to immigrant adolescents and young adults with disabilities aged 16–25. The study generated qualitative data from seven informants from different state institutions using semi-structured interviews. Our findings showed that service providers encountered personal and organisational challenges, including communicating and collaborating with immigrant parents. Service agencies experienced underfunding, making them unable to cope with growing demands. Additionally, service providers experienced inter-agency cooperation and collaboration difficulties such as a lack of information sharing, even when they served the same clients. Increasing funding, staff training, and strengthening formal and informal communication with immigrant parents of children with disabilities can provide opportunities to improve service delivery.

Influence of socioeconomic status on academic performance in virtual classroom settings

As the children of immigrant parents, we understand the significant extent to which education is a tool for becoming contributing global citizens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing first-hand how socioeconomic inequalities were affecting education, we were determined to make a difference. We conducted an online survey to evaluate the impact of household socioeconomic status (SES) on student participation and performance in distance learning at the height of the COVID-19 in communities along the Monterey Bay Peninsula. SES is defined as the combined measure of gross income, educational attainment, and occupation. We hypothesized that students from low-socioeconomic households lacking resources and safe and supportive learning atmospheres would seldom participate during distance learning; therefore, earn lower grade point averages (GPAs) than students from higher SES households. We surveyed students from neighboring high schools whose student bodies are separated by a vast wealth gap, and utilized a novel scoring system to quantify the responses specifically for SES and direct participation factors (e.g., unmuting to participate in a class discussion and typing answers into the chat). The results suggested that high SES for Carmel High School and low SES for Monterey High School had a substantial impact on student achievement during distance learning. The average participation score for Carmel students was statistically significantly greater than Monterey students. Furthermore, students from the upper SES range attained higher weighted GPAs. This work ultimately reveals the inequality present in our current education system and the negative implications for low SES students in the online learning environment.

Investigating Differences in Academic Intrinsic, Extrinsic, and Amotivation Among Children of Immigrant Parents

College students in the US often experience a pressure to succeed brought on by their unique intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. However, is there a possible connection between these academic motivations and having an immigrant parent? To determine if differences exist in intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation among children of immigrant parents (CIPs), I employed a 28-item survey adapted from the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS). I analyzed survey data collected from 183 undergraduate students at the University of Texas at Arlington using three chi-square tests of independence comparing the three types of motivation in CIPs and non-CIPs and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessing average scores across types of motivation. Results showed no relationship exists between types of academic motivation and CIP status, but extrinsic motivation scores were significantly higher across all college students. Future studies are needed to examine other factors that may influence academic motivations.

Development level of the country of parental origin on dental caries in children of immigrant parents in Sweden.

To study the association of parental country of origin-expressed as low-, medium- and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries-with caries experience in children of immigrant families in Stockholm. This registry-based cohort study included all children born in 2000-2003 who resided in Stockholm County, Sweden, at age 3years (n=83,147) with follow-up at 7years of age. A logistic regression was performed for the multivariate analysis with adjustments for socio-demographic factors. After adjustments, logistic regression analyses revealed that, compared with Swedish children of the same age, the risk of caries was highest when the immigrant parents originated in a medium (OR 4.22 (95% CI 3.99:4.47)) or low (OR 2.80 (95% CI 2.56:3.06)) income country background at age 7years, but was increased also for high-income country background, OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.52-2.05). Furthermore, the risk of presenting with caries experience at age 7years increased for all children in the 1st (lowest) household income quintile in the host country Sweden. This study shows that the developmental level of the parental country of birth as well as the family socioeconomic position in Sweden influence the risk for caries development in their children.

Social inequality in parent-infant relations: Epidemiological study of community nurse records.

Background: Some studies suggest that favourable socioeconomic circumstances are associated with better parent-child relations but the documentation of such an association is limited and inconsistent. Few studies focused on infancy, few studies relied on objective measurement of parent-infant relations, and few studies included more than one measurement of parent-infant relations in the first year of life. Aims: To report the prevalence of objectively measured problems in parent-infant relations during the first year of life and to examine the association between socioeconomic circumstances and parent-infant relations in an unselected community sample of infants. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a community sample of children from birth to 10 months in 15 municipalities in Denmark, n = 11,765. The exposure variables were population register data about socioeconomic circumstances: (a) parents' education, (b) family composition, (c) parents' origin, and (d) parents' occupational status. The outcome variable was the health visitor's concerns about the parent-infant relation assessed at four home visits from birth to 10 months after delivery. Results: The proportion of children with concerns about the parent-infant relation was 10.5%, 7.8% at one home visit and 2.8% at two or more home visits. Logistic regression analyses showed that all four indicators of socioeconomic circumstances were associated with concerns about the parent-infant relation in the first year of life. Conclusions: The risk of problematic parent-infant relations were significantly elevated among, children of immigrant parents, and children of parents with shorter education and not in education or work.

Évaluation clinique des pratiques intégratives dans les troubles du spectre autistique (EPIGRAM) : méthodologie, population à l’inclusion et satisfaction des familles à 12 mois

BackgroundIntegrative care practices (ICPs) in the management of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) do not currently receive sufficient rigorous evaluation. Moreover, they lack formalisation despite their important place in clinical practice, particularly in France, where they are implemented in day care hospital structures. We present here the methodology of the EPIGRAM study financed by the French General Directorate of Healthcare Organisations (PREPS 2013), the profile of the inclusive population (M0), and the experience of families after 12 months of care. MethodIn order to homogenise practices, a manual has been formalised following the methodology of the clinical pathway and the recommendations of the High Authority of health. We then conducted an open, multi-centre, observational study in a natural environment in routine care evaluating ICPs in ASDs for children aged 3 to 6 years. The main inclusion criteria were the diagnosis (typical or atypical autism, according to the ICD10) and the duration of care (2 to 4 half-days per week) during the first year of care. The children were clinically assessed using several instruments including the PEP-3 (Psychoeducational Profile-3) and the CARS (Children Autism Rating Scale). In order to maintain a blind assessment for the main variable, randomly assigned videos of the PEP-3 were rated by two independent psychologists. A questionnaire, completed separately by the families and the professionals at inclusion and at one year, complemented the study. ResultsWe included 89 children demonstrated to have severe autism through the CARS (mean=44; SD=6.51) and moderate autism through he PEP-3 maladaptive behaviour category (CAT MB) (mean=30; SD=29.89). The children were all diagnosed before the age of 3 years 6 months. Most of the children had severe language impairments. With PEP-3, the impairment is more pronounced in gross motor skills and characteristic verbal behaviours. Thirty percent of the families had a low socioeconomic status and 56 % were first generation immigrants. Seventy-seven percent of the children were enrolled in kindergarten with school life support. Children of immigrant parents have more severe autism (CARS : mean=45.8 (±6.51) vs. 41.2 (±5.58), t-test, P=0.001) in addition to a more marked cognitive deficit (CVP : median=24.5 [min–max: 9.75–45.5] vs. 52 [min–max: 26–76], Wilcoxon, P=0.001). At entry, the collection of the signs at the structured clinical observation met the signs noted by the families as being the object of their concern. With standardised tools, these observations constituted an efficient functional and multidimensional analysis for the integrative care project. At 12 months, the families’ level of satisfaction was high and consistent with that of the practitioners. ConclusionOur results show that the day units take care of a population of children with predominantly severe and complex ASDs, for the most part, from families with low socioeconomic status and first-generation immigration. The relevance of the multidimensional observation and the care project of the ISPs were confirmed by the families at entry and after 12 months of care.

A Review of Barriers Experienced by Immigrant Parents of Children with Autism when Accessing Services

Immigrants have poorer health outcomes due in part to limited access to health care. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have immigrant parents are diagnosed at a later age and those whose parents have limited English proficiency receive fewer hours of services. What contributes to these health care and support services disparities? This review examined eight qualitative studies published between 2010 and 2020 that explored barriers experienced by immigrant parents of children with ASD with regard to accessing diagnostic and/or intervention services. Key barriers included long wait times, language barriers, and limited health literacy. Recommendations for practice and future research are discussed.

Overcoming Language Barriers between Interventionists and Immigrant Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This study used a video prompting intervention to overcome language barriers between English-speaking trainers and Spanish-speaking immigrant parents of children with autism. Parents were taught instructional skills targeting independent dressing. A multiple baseline design across three families and a replication using an alternating treatments design with a fourth family were used to evaluate the effects of the intervention. All mothers reached mastery criterion and generalization of instructional skills was observed for three mothers, with treatment gains maintaining during follow-up. Improvement in independent dressing skills was observed for four children. Findings suggest that video prompting can be used to teach immigrant parents of children with autism who have limited English proficiency when there is a language mismatch between parents and trainers.