Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health

Over 125,000 women immigrate to Canada yearly—most in their childbearing years and many having given birth before immigrating. We sought to (1) examine the background characteristics and mental health profile of women separated from their children due to migration and subsequently giving birth in Ca...

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Main Authors: Stephanie S. Bouris, Lisa A. Merry, Amy Kebe, Anita J. Gagnon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
Series:Obstetrics and Gynecology International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/593413
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spelling doaj-d2540398403241578af5e9b2715e1b1e2020-11-24T23:05:09ZengHindawi LimitedObstetrics and Gynecology International1687-95891687-95972012-01-01201210.1155/2012/593413593413Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental HealthStephanie S. Bouris0Lisa A. Merry1Amy Kebe2Anita J. Gagnon3Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, CanadaIngram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, CanadaUniversité Sainte-Anne, Pointe-de-l'Église, NS, BOW 1M0, CanadaWomen’s Health Mission, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H3H 2R9, CanadaOver 125,000 women immigrate to Canada yearly—most in their childbearing years and many having given birth before immigrating. We sought to (1) examine the background characteristics and mental health profile of women separated from their children due to migration and subsequently giving birth in Canada (“dual-country (DC) mothers”) and (2) contrast these with those of “non-dual-country” migrant mothers. Of 514 multiparous migrant women giving birth, one-fifth (18%) reported being separated from their children due to migration. Over one-third of DC mothers were living in poverty (36.0% versus 18.6%, P=0.001), and one in seven was experiencing household food insecurity (16.3% versus 7.6%, P=0.01). Over one-third had no partner (40.2% versus 11.4%, P=0.00), and nearly one-quarter reported no available support (23.1% versus 12.2%, P=0.007). Over three-quarters were asylum seekers or refugees (83.7% versus 51%, P=0.00). More DC than non-DC mothers had symptoms of postpartum depression (28.3% versus 18.6%, P=0.04), symptoms of clinical depression (23.1% versus 13.5%, P=0.02), and anxiety related to trauma (16.5% versus 9.4%, P=0.04). Results suggest that identifying DC mothers is a rapid approach to enable clinicians to target a subgroup of women needing special attention.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/593413
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Stephanie S. Bouris
Lisa A. Merry
Amy Kebe
Anita J. Gagnon
spellingShingle Stephanie S. Bouris
Lisa A. Merry
Amy Kebe
Anita J. Gagnon
Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health
Obstetrics and Gynecology International
author_facet Stephanie S. Bouris
Lisa A. Merry
Amy Kebe
Anita J. Gagnon
author_sort Stephanie S. Bouris
title Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health
title_short Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health
title_full Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health
title_fullStr Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health
title_full_unstemmed Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health
title_sort mothering here and mothering there: international migration and postbirth mental health
publisher Hindawi Limited
series Obstetrics and Gynecology International
issn 1687-9589
1687-9597
publishDate 2012-01-01
description Over 125,000 women immigrate to Canada yearly—most in their childbearing years and many having given birth before immigrating. We sought to (1) examine the background characteristics and mental health profile of women separated from their children due to migration and subsequently giving birth in Canada (“dual-country (DC) mothers”) and (2) contrast these with those of “non-dual-country” migrant mothers. Of 514 multiparous migrant women giving birth, one-fifth (18%) reported being separated from their children due to migration. Over one-third of DC mothers were living in poverty (36.0% versus 18.6%, P=0.001), and one in seven was experiencing household food insecurity (16.3% versus 7.6%, P=0.01). Over one-third had no partner (40.2% versus 11.4%, P=0.00), and nearly one-quarter reported no available support (23.1% versus 12.2%, P=0.007). Over three-quarters were asylum seekers or refugees (83.7% versus 51%, P=0.00). More DC than non-DC mothers had symptoms of postpartum depression (28.3% versus 18.6%, P=0.04), symptoms of clinical depression (23.1% versus 13.5%, P=0.02), and anxiety related to trauma (16.5% versus 9.4%, P=0.04). Results suggest that identifying DC mothers is a rapid approach to enable clinicians to target a subgroup of women needing special attention.
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/593413
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