Immigrant Experience Research Articles

Double Diaspora and Transgenerational Memory in Nikesh Shukla’s The One Who Wrote Destiny

This article offers a focused exploration of Nikesh Shukla's The One Who Wrote Destiny (2018), delving into the challenges and complexities of the 'double diaspora' experienced by British South Asian characters in the UK. Situated at the intersection of literary analysis and sociocultural studies, the study addresses the novel’s thematic core, emphasizing the lasting impact of racism and cultural displacement across multiple generations. Utilizing Jan Assmann's framework of 'communicative memory' and 'cultural memory,' alongside Maya Parmar's exploration of double diaspora, the study investigates the evolution of memory representation, highlighting the transformation from lived, embodied memory to mediated, cultural forms. Central to this research is the examination of double diaspora, as outlined by Parmar, exploring the migration of the Gujarati community from South Asia to East Africa and later to Britain, and the identity struggles arising from these dual displacements. Through this in-depth analysis, the article explores the intricate interplay between memory, generational shifts, and the unique challenges faced by twice-migrant communities. It provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of immigrant experiences, cultural identity, and belonging in the United Kingdom since the turn of the millennium. This analysis contributes to a broader understanding of how transgenerational memory and double diaspora influence cultural adaptation and identity formation within diasporic communities, reflecting wider sociocultural trends in contemporary Britain.

Immigrant Youth Adaptation and Risk Involvement: The Case of Immigrant Youth From France and the Former Soviet Union in Israel

Immigration is challenging for youth as it requires reorganization of their developmental system and can increase their vulnerability to risk factors. Adaptation processes may be affected further by the cultural context in which they take place. This study explored immigration and adaptation experiences among youth at risk, who had immigrated to Israel from France and from the Former Soviet Union (FSU), and the impact of these experiences on the youth’s involvement in risk behaviors. The 27 participants interviewed for this qualitative study were 11 immigrant youth from France, 10 from the FSU, and 6 practitioners who work with immigrant youth at risk. Data analysis indicates that immigration is a significant life event that affects all spheres of the youth’s lives: identity, relationships with parents and peers, and school integration. Based on the participants’ interviews, we conceptualized adaptation as a multilevel process, related to youth’s potential involvement in risk behaviors. Moreover, immigrant youth’s experiences on different levels are shaped by their culture of origin—a matrix in which their adaptation and risk behavior occur. The findings, derived from a comprehensive perspective of both the youth and the practitioners, have substantial implications for practice and policy to enhance immigrant youth’s constructive adaptation. Specifically, we emphasize the key role of pre- and post-migration preparation that targets immigrant youth and their parents, and Israeli education institutions that receive immigrants.

A Teaching Mathematician: The Immigrant Experience

A Teaching Mathematician: The Immigrant Experience

Vaccination in the post pandemic era - a qualitative study of the experiences of Somali immigrants

Abstract Background The Somali population is the largest non-European immigrant group in Norway and past studies have indicated lower coverage for both childhood vaccines and COVID-19. However, little is known about views and experiences of vaccination among this group and how their experiences might impact their vaccination decision-making process. This study explored views and experiences with vaccination among Somali immigrants in Norway. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 participants in the fall of 2022. To better understand the participants’ perceptions of vaccine information, the data was inductively analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results Based on the thematic analysis, we focused on four sub themes: 1) the impact of COVID-19 on views of vaccines; 2) new versus old vaccines; 3) childhood vaccination; 4) trust in vaccines. The study found that the participants’ experiences during the pandemic have impacted their views on vaccination in general. Many of the participants expressed positive views and high levels of trust in the Norwegian health authorities and their vaccination recommendations. It was found that having sufficient information and trust in vaccination recommendations contributed to higher vaccine readiness. Viewing vaccines as new and insufficiently tested or researched, as well as lacking information about potential side-effects, increased participants’ hesitancy when faced with vaccination decisions. Among the parents in this study, postponing the measles-mumps-rubella-vaccine due to fear of autism was a common occurrence. Conclusions The current study fills an important gap in knowledge about views, experiences, and vaccination decisions among the Somali population in Norway. Knowledge from this study can help adapt better vaccine information and further improve the prevention of infectious diseases in Norway in general and for under-vaccinated groups in particular. Key messages • Having sufficient information and trust in vaccination recommendations contributed to higher vaccine readiness. • Viewing vaccines as new and insufficiently tested/researched, as well as lacking information about potential side-effects, increased participants’ vaccine hesitancy.

African Immigrant Women's Experiences of Maternity Care in the United States

African Immigrant Women's Experiences of Maternity Care in the United States

A reflective study on the intricate history of Chinese immigration in Peninsular Malaysia

This article presents a reflective microcosm to faithfully echo the intricate history of Chinese immigration in Peninsular Malaysia, focusing on two migration waves that occurred during the Malacca Sultanate and colonial eras. It meticulously examines the underlying causes, defining the characteristics, patterns and quantities of each immigration wave by drawing upon historical documents, tombstone inscriptions and demographic data. In a significant departure from conventional wisdom, this study challenges the prevailing notion that Chinese immigrants were overwhelmingly male, shedding light on the fact that the initial wave featured a higher proportion of females. Moreover, the analysis illuminates the intricate interplay between local colonial policies and the external factors emanating from China, demonstrating their profound influence on migration patterns and quantities. The present quantitative study offers fresh insights into the multifaceted experiences of Chinese immigrants in Peninsular Malaysia. It underscores the key findings while bringing attention to the associated complexities and nuances.

Russian-speaking immigrants’ adaptation in Canada

Abstract This article examines acculturation among Russian speakers in Canada focusing on immigration goals achievement, integration, feeling at home in Canada, and self-identity vis-à-vis the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and language use. The study draws on data from a survey which was completed by 100 native speakers of Russian. The survey included Likert-scale responses and short answers analyzed quantitatively using Pearson correlations and chi-squares. The results indicate that most participants feel well-adjusted in Canada, they view immigration as the right decision and believe they have reached their immigration goals. However, about half of the respondents report experiencing discrimination, and only 20 % consider Canada their true home. In their self-identity expressions, their country of origin is prioritized. Correlations have been observed between the adaptation parameters and self-identity on the one hand, and the length of stay in Canada, participants’ age and age upon immigration, gender, and language use, on the other hand. These findings are crucial for immigrant help centers, ESL teachers, local governments and immigrants themselves (facilitating comparisons with peers’ immigration experiences). The results are interpreted in the light of Acculturation and Linguistic Equilibrium theories.

Social networks and stigma: The experiences of African immigrants living with HIV in the United States

Over the past two decades, research on the conceptualization, measurement, and refinement of stigma has grown extensively due to increasing recognition of stigma as a driver of adverse health outcomes. While these lines of research have generally recognized that stigma is enacted in social relationships, few analysts have characterized how the structure and composition of these relationships influence stigma, particularly among immigrant populations. In response, this paper integrates data from social network analysis and in-depth interviews to explore the experiences of and responses to stigma by African immigrants living with HIV in the United States.All participants reported that they anticipated, experienced, and internalized stigma within their personal networks. Many concealed their status and disclosed to only trusted associates, family members, and medical providers. Building on findings from previous studies, we found that the meanings and belief systems (particularly African cultural discourses that link HIV with mortality, immorality, retribution, and silence) matter for how stigma is assigned, enacted, experienced, and resisted. Our analyses also revealed that the structure of participants personal networks (i.e, the extent to which their associates were connected to each other, and how integrated/involved they were in these network relationships) intensified or diluted their exposure to stigmatizing discourses, depending on the composition (resourcefulness/quality) of their personal networks. Such network connections (i.e., social capital) translate into rewards if they are supportive and accepting, and costs if they stigmatize.By showing how individuals can use their social networks to stigmatize or support their peers, this study advances theoretical expositions on (1) how the meanings and belief systems held by individuals matter for understanding social network/structural processes,(2) how social networks shape how stigma is assigned, enacted, experienced and resisted,(3) the costs and downsides of social capital, which are often neglected through emphasis on its salutary impacts. Our findings underscore the need for interventions that leverage the salient properties of personal networks to understand, conceptualize, measure, and reduce stigma.

Assessment of the quality and content of clinical practice guidelines for vitamin D and for immigrants using the AGREE II instrument: global systematic review

BackgroundWorldwide, more immigrants experience vitamin D (vitD) deficiency than non-immigrants. Recommendations in current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) concerning vitD are inadequate to address vitD deficiency among immigrants, and there are...

Reconsidering gender norms in childcare within Chinese migrant families in Portugal.

Historically, Chinese societies have been characterized by patriarchal structures (Confucianism and filial piety) that assign distinct roles to men and women within the family unit. These norms typically dictate that women take on the primary responsibility for childcare and household duties, while men are expected to be the primary breadwinners. As the authors observe the second generation of Chinese immigrants settling in Portugal, the immigrants grapple with the significant challenge of striving to preserve cultural heritage with the adaptation to Western norms. Therefore, there is a growing recognition of the need to reassess these traditional gender norms. Women in these families are increasingly participating in the workforce, challenging the notion that childcare should be solely to their domain. This study focuses on the experiences of Chinese immigrants, including both married couples and single individuals residing in Portugal. Through qualitative research methods such as interviews (involving 25 participants) and observations, the research aims to gain a nuanced understanding of the attitude and engagement toward childcare, and the ways it differs between men and women in these immigrant families. Participants' responses indicate that men's anticipation of women dedicating more time to childcare is notably influenced by educational attainment and financial circumstances. Conversely, women generally believe that being exempt from labor is not a viable alternative irrespective of their educational qualifications. The traditional distribution of caregiving duties does not consistently apply to Chinese female immigrants. By exploring the influence of traditional Confucian culture on migrants' perspectives and challenges in assuming parental responsibilities, this study highlights gender disparities among Chinese immigrants and propose solutions to address this gender conflict on division.

Sociodemographic and Health Determinants of Loneliness in Older Immigrants in Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID pandemic brought to light the pressing issues of social isolation and loneliness for older adults. Immigrant older adults' experience of loneliness is even more exacerbated by factors, such as, language barriers, and the loss of cultural community. Key determinants of loneliness in older immigrants are not clear in the literature. A cross-sectional study was conducted in nine cities across Canada to: describe the experience of emotional, social and overall loneliness; and examine the determinants of loneliness among Punjabi, Mandarin, and Arabic-speaking older immigrants. A total of 647 older immigrants participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to describe their experience of loneliness, and multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the determinants of loneliness. Most participants had a post-secondary education, were married, and had been in Canada for about 16 years. On average, the participants reported good physical and mental health, and moderate levels of emotional, social, and overall loneliness. Ethnocultural group, emotional wellbeing, and depression were associated with emotional loneliness. Social loneliness was associated with education, depression, psychological distress, age, and ethnocultural group. Determinants of overall loneliness were age, gender, ethnocultural group, self-rated mental health, emotional wellbeing, depression, and psychological distress. Community based interventions that target these key factors must be designed to address loneliness experienced by older immigrants.

Navigating occupational balance and identity in the platform economy: Perspectives from immigrant workers

ABSTRACT Gig work, or platform work, refers to short-term jobs acquired through digital platforms and constitutes a growing share of Canada’s economy (Jeon et al., 2021). Compared to Canadian-born individuals, immigrants make up a higher percentage of workers in the gig economy (Statistics Canada, 2024). There is a literature gap concerning how immigrants’ engagement in the gig economy shapes their occupational identity and sense of occupational balance. This study explores the experiences of immigrants working in the gig economy to develop an understanding of gig work through a perspective centering occupational, rather than economic, perspectives that are dominant in the literature. Using an instrumental case study approach, a secondary thematic analysis of 10 qualitative interviews with immigrants currently employed in different forms of gig work in Metro Vancouver, Canada was completed. Findings highlighted three main themes. First, a balancing act illustrates ways that gig work is often balanced with other occupations in participants’ lives given the flexibility and autonomy it offers. Second, shifting identities addresses how gig work helped participants navigate shifts to their identities following their immigration. Third, beyond the dollar discusses participants’ motivations for engaging in gig work beyond the income it generates. Gig work is nuanced and people’s motivations to engage in this type of employment are diverse. As immigrants experience a shift in their occupational identity and balance a variety of occupations, they may be drawn to this form of employment due to its unique characteristics and perceived benefits given other challenges they may face during their economic integration.

From Exile to Integration: Immigration Patterns and Cultural Identity of Chinese and Jewish Communities in the United States

The Chinese immigration experience began in the mid-19th century, driven by economic opportunities and marked by significant challenges. In contrast, Jewish immigration, primarily occurring in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was driven by severe religious and racial persecution in Europe. Jewish immigrants sought refuge from violence and the Holocaust, finding a relatively open environment in the U.S. to maintain their religious and cultural traditions. This paper examines the immigration patterns and cultural identities of the Chinese and Jewish communities in the United States, highlighting their distinct historical backgrounds and experiences. This study applies theoretical frameworks from sociology and anthropology, including Everett Lee’s “Push-Pull Theory,” Stuart Hall’s cultural identity theory, and Anthony Giddens’ theory of modernity, to analyze how these communities’ immigration patterns have influenced their cultural identities. The study compares the Chinese community’s economic-driven integration and the Jewish community’s diverse approach to cultural preservation. The findings provide insights into the complexities of cultural identity within the U.S. multicultural landscape and highlight the varied strategies adopted by different immigrant groups. Limitations of this study include its focus on Chinese and Jewish communities, which may not fully represent other immigrant experiences. Future research should consider a broader range of immigrant groups to enhance understanding of cultural integration and identity.

Contextualizing experiences of cultural stress: A qualitative exploration among Hispanic/Latinx youth in Miami and Los Angeles.

Hispanic/Latinx youth vary in their immigration heritage (e.g., country of origin, familial migration history, etc.) and the structure of their communities. This study is a qualitative exploration of Hispanic/Latinx youth experiences of cultural stress in Miami and Los Angeles in 2021. A total of 23 Hispanic/Latinx adolescents in Los Angeles (n = 12) and Miami (n = 11) provided in-depth interviews to assess: (a) appraisals of family immigration history and (b) experiences across three cultural stressors: sociopolitical, language brokering, and intragroup marginalization. Interviews were analyzed using a general inductive analytic approach and case comparison methodology to assess differences across sites. For appraisals of family immigration history, gratitude and hope emerged as positive emotions experienced when youth reflected on their immigrant origins. Miami participants reported perceived worsening of sociopolitical stress as a result of changes in political administration whereas participants in Los Angeles felt a sense of relief. Participants in Miami and Los Angeles reported similar strengths and challenges in language brokering with COVID-19 variedly impacting youth's perceived language brokering stress. Last, to youth intragroup marginalization experienced from family members was experienced as more detrimental than from peers, and they reported the use of cognitive reframes to cope. Cultural stressors are dynamic and diverse. This study further informs cultural stress theory by cataloging how families' immigration history and national current events inform experiences of stress among youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Structural risks and family adjustment in midwestern Latine immigrant families: Extending the family stress model.

We tested an extended family stress model of economic hardship (FSM; Conger et al., 2010) incorporating structural risks (discrimination, immigration, and COVID-19 experiences) and qualitative data, to better understand the impact of culturally relevant experiences on family stress processes in rural, immigrant Latine families in the U.S. Midwest. Participants were Latine families (N = 307) with a child aged 10-15 (Mage = 12.21 years, 51.0% boys; 71.5% two parent; 93.1% of caregivers and 29% of youth born outside the United States) Mean household income was 25-30K and 65% of caregivers had less than a high school education. We tested a cross-sectional structural equation model in Mplus and analyzed qualitative interviews with a subsample of mother-youth dyads (n = 19). COVID-19 experiences predicted economic pressure, and both COVID-19 and discrimination experiences were linked to caregiver psychological distress. Consistent with the FSM, economic pressure predicted psychological distress, which was associated with interparental relationship problems and parenting. Parenting was associated with youth global health. Unexpectedly, interparental relationship problems to parenting were not significant. The indirect association linking COVID-19 experiences to youth global health via psychological distress and parenting was significant. Qualitative data revealed five themes demonstrating how structural and economic risks contributed to distress, conflict, and maladjustment within the family system. Culturally relevant structural risks exert a negative influence on family processes in rural Latine immigrant families through contributing to economic pressures and parental distress. The additional impact of these experiences should be considered when addressing the FSM in Latine populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Home Country Work Experience and Immigrant Self-Employment in the United States

Immigrant entrepreneurship in the United States has grown steadily in the last four decades. In this paper, I study the occupational choices of legal permanent residents and their associated earnings in paid and self-employment. Using a unique data set with pre- and postmigration individual-level information, I analyze the role of home country work experience of immigrants in their probability of becoming entrepreneurs and their earnings after migration. To control for endogenous sector selection in the estimation of earnings distributions, I follow a novel identification strategy based on extremal quantile regressions that does not require exclusion restrictions or a large support variable. I find that foreign work experience in paid and self-employment is an important predictor of entrepreneurship after migration. In addition, it impacts earnings in the United States but differently across sectors, controlling for human capital, assimilation, time, region of origin, U.S. destination, previous migratory status, and demographic characteristics. Overall, my results highlight the role played by immigrants’ labor market history from their home countries to better understand their outcomes in the United States.

Abstract A064: Patient-provider trust and immigration experiences and h. pylori knowledge among Asian Americans

Abstract Background: Asian Americans experience a disproportionately higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. However, there persists limited awareness about H. pylori infection and the associated factors among this population. Methods: To assess the level of H. pylori-related knowledge and its association with immigration and provider-related factors, we conducted a cross-sectional pilot study involving 131 Asian American individuals aged 30-75 in the greater Philadelphia and NYC areas. Participants administered a questionnaire covering topics including migration experiences, provider characteristics, medical encounters, and other relevant covariates. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the relationship between these factors and H. pylori knowledge scores. Results: Among all participants, 78% (102/131) were not racially concordant with their PCP, and 39% (51/131) had limited English proficiency. Vietnamese participants had the highest mean H. pylori knowledge score (10.8, SD: 1.4), followed by Chinese (7.2, SD: 4.7) and Korean (5.7, SD: 4.4). In the crude model, racial concordance with PCPs showed a positive relationship (IRR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14–1.56) with knowledge scores, while length of immigration demonstrated a weak negative relationship (IRR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99). In the adjusted model, personal health experiences (aIRR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.10–1.54) and patient-provider communication (aIRR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.43–2.06) as key determinants of H. pylori knowledge. Conclusion: H. pylori knowledge in Asian Americans is influenced by immigration experiences and the trust between patients and providers, which affects information exchange, medical comprehension, and treatment adherence. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving H. pylori knowledge within the Asian American community should prioritize fostering trust between patients and their healthcare providers. This trust serves as a crucial foundation for facilitating informed decision-making and implementing preventive measures against gastric cancer. Citation Format: Zhiqing E. Liu, Jerry Kai-Chun Fu, Wenyue Lu, Phuong Do, Kathy Zhou, Ellen Kim, Yin Tan, Lin Zhu, Grace X. Ma. Patient-provider trust and immigration experiences and h. pylori knowledge among Asian Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A064.

Trends in Contacts Made by Immigrants to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Immigrants in the United States are more likely than nonimmigrants to experience risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) and problems in getting support. The COVID-19 pandemic and recent incidents of xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment may have exacerbated exposure to IPV risk factors. We examined immigrant experiences of IPV before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study identified changes in characteristics of abuse, services used, referrals, and barriers to services among those who contacted the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) and identified as immigrants, reported immigration status as a concern, needed immigration support, and/or identified immigration status as a barrier to accessing services (N = 49 817). We used joinpoint regressions to examine whether the rate of change differed significantly from 2016-2019 (before the pandemic) to 2019-2021 (during the pandemic). The number of immigrant contacts to NDVH peaked in 2017 (n = 9333) and declined 25% to 6946 in 2021. During 2016-2019, the percentage of contacts reporting the following increased significantly: technology-facilitated violence (+12.7 percentage points), economic/financial abuse (+10.8 percentage points), and involvement of firearms (+4.8 percentage points); during 2019-2021, these trends reversed. The percentage of contacts reporting separation or divorce was relatively flat until 2019 and then increased from 14.6% in 2019 to 19.9% in 2021 (+5.2 percentage points). Housing instability increased during 2017-2020 (+9.3 percentage points), but requests for shelters decreased (-4.5 percentage points). Immigration status and personal finances were commonly reported barriers to services; both decreased during 2016-2019 but then increased during 2019-2021. This study can inform prevention and response strategies relevant for immigrants experiencing or reporting IPV.

Navigating employment and overeducation: comparative study of immigrant experiences in 17 Western European nations

ABSTRACT The labor market integration of migrants, focusing on employment and job quality, differs notably across Southern and Continental-Northern European nations, often involving trade-offs. Nonetheless, little is known about whether these diverse migrant inclusion models in European labor markets extend to the combination of employment and overeducation. Additionally, the role of gender in this context remains unclear. While overeducation is more prevalent among immigrants compared to native, its prevalence varies across countries. To fill this gap, we analyzed data from the 2015–2019 European Labor Force Survey in 17 European countries, considering gender and migrant origin – Western vs. non-Western. Results show that non-Western migrants and migrant women face more challenges than Western migrants and male counterparts, respectively. Among males, a trade-off model predominates, with low employment penalties but high overeducation penalties in Mediterranean countries, and vice versa in Continental and some Nordic nations. For females, those in Southern Europe align with the Mediterranean trade-off model, while those in most Continental and Nordic countries experience a double penalty. In Liberal countries, male migrants tend toward the Mediterranean trade-off model, while female migrants align with the integration model.

Negotiating one’s own belonging: envisaging the Japanese (Im)migratory stratification through immigrant-origin youths’ narratives

ABSTRACT This article contributes to delineating the concept of migratory stratification, newly introduced in this Special Issue, by exploring the Japanese immigration experience. Despite receiving little attention from the academic community, the long-standing immigration to Japan offers a crucial perspective for understanding the evolution of immigration and its resulting strata. Drawing on a thematic analysis of sixty-one semi-structured interviews conducted with Brazilian, Korean, and Chinese-origin youths residing in Japan, this study aims to reveal patterns of intergenerational incorporation experiences, emerging from narratives about self-identity negotiations and the legitimacy of one’s sense of belonging.