Arshia U. Zaidi

A Comparative and Exploratory Analysis of Socio-cultural Factors and Immigrant Women’s Mental Health within a Canadian Context

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of macro-level factors on immigrant and non-immigrant women’s mental health status in a Canadian context. This study was part of a larger study examining women’s quality of life in south eastern Ontario. Using survey research methods, data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 91 women of whom 66 identified their country of origin as “other” than Canada. Descriptive, bivariate and regression analysis of this data revealed that immigrant and non-immigrant women’s macro-level predictors of mental health status vary. Overall, for immigrant women’s perceptions of neighbourhood social cohesion was a stronger predictor influencing mental health status, while for non-immigrant women social support was more influential. Research with larger, representative samples should explore the findings to ascertain generalizability.

Ethnic Identity, Religion, and Gender: An Exploration of Intersecting Identities Creating Diverse Perceptions and Experiences with Intimate Cross-Gender Relationships Amongst South Asian Youth in Canada

The migration of South Asians from one country to another is becoming increasingly common. This movement comes with post migratory challenges that extend to second-generation South Asians who have to negotiate socialization into two often conflicting sets of values, beliefs, attitudes, and practices: those within and those outside the home. One such challenge faced by secondgeneration South Asians is the negotiation and formation of cross-gender heterosexual relationships. Using qualitative data, specifically in-depth interviews with second-generation South Asian Christians, Muslims, and Hindus in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), this paper examines how intersections of gender, ethnicity, and religion shape participants’ perceptions of and experiences with intimate cross-gender relationships. The results indicate that there are variations within each source of identity, and acceptance of and experiences with intimate cross-gender relationships differ depending on how these identities intersect and interact.

The power of technology: a qualitative analysis of how South Asian youth use technology to maintain cross-gender relationships

This research explores how South Asian youth in Canada use computer-mediated communication (CMC) such as social networking sites, cell phones and instant messaging in their cross-gender intimate relationships. Using 42 qualitative interviews conducted with second-generation South Asian Canadians living in the Greater Toronto Area and Durham region, this article sheds light on the motives for using CMC as well as negative consequences that can emerge. The data reveal that South Asian youth are using CMC to initiate and build relationships, remain connected with partners, engage in discreet communication, to ease uncomfortable and intimate discussions, and to communicate when face-to-face interaction is not available. Gender, religion and country of origin differences were rare, but did appear in a few motives. Negative consequences of CMC use volunteered by participants include parental–child conflict over restriction and questioning CMC use and its use leading to parents’ discovery of a ‘secret’ relationship. Overall, CMC provided a means for second-generation South Asian youth in Canada to overtly adhere to norms of gender-separation while covertly engaging in cross-gender relationships. If not discovered, this helped to maintain family honour within the South Asian community while fulfilling their perceived need for cross-gender friendships and romantic involvements.

Conspiracy of silence: cultural conflict as a risk factor for the development of eating disorders among second-generation Canadian South Asian women

ABSTRACT This phenomenological study examines second-generation Canadian South Asian women’s experiences of an eating disorder, and explores issues of culture conflict in relation to mental health tensions and body/self-concept distortions. Eight second-generation South Asian women who have sought help for an eating disorder participated in semi-structured interviews. Using feminist and transcultural theories, our analyses suggest that body image distortions stem from myriad pressures women face in relation to others in their lives. In constant attempt to follow familial and cultural expectations, these women felt a disconnection and alienation linking to mental pressure, which may be a factor in the development of self-dissatisfaction and ultimately eating disorders for this group. This research elevates awareness of eating disorders within the South Asian community as a way to break the ‘conspiracy of silence’ that surrounds this growing health concern.

‘Should I or Should I Not’?: an exploration of South Asian youth's resistance to cultural deviancy

Being and belonging to a South Asian family in Canada does not come without struggles. One theme that has consistently dominated the literature on South Asian immigrant families is the competing cultural value systems that exist between the East (heritage country) and the West (host country). The two cultural scripts adhere to contradictory lifestyle scripts, especially with respect to social and sexual aspects of life. In an individualistic host country, like Canada, things such as dating and sexuality are much more accepted and normalised. These same social endeavours in collectivistic South Asian cultures, where social controls such as family, culture, religion and community dominate decision-making, are stigmatised. In South Asian cultures, these activities are considered culturally deviant because they pose a direct threat to the honour of the family. Using semi-structured interviews, the goal of this study is twofold: first, to uncover the intimate relationship realities of South Asian youth; and second, to understand why some South Asian youth resist cultural deviancy by applying Travis Hirschis Social Bond Theory. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data revealed four themes that help explain why some participants avoided dating relationships and/or sexual activities, which include attachment to others/affection, commitment to conventional lines of action, involvement in conventional activities, belief system and lack of opportunity.

Invisible Voices: An Intersectional Exploration of Quality of Life for Elderly South Asian Immigrant Women in a Canadian Sample

Despite the emerging presence of South Asian elderly population in Canada, there continues to be a paucity of research concerning the immigration and acculturation experiences of these marginalized elderly populations and their quality of life. This research builds knowledge of the quality of life experiences faced by South Asian elderly immigrant women residing in Canada using an intersectional analytical framework. While there is a gradually developing body of research regarding elder persons globally, the present research is unique in that explores challenges, stresses and strains, and builds an understanding of the treatment of older ethnic minorities and immigrant families. Furthermore, this research has implications for policies and practices governing these growing aging populations. Finally, this research gives voice to a “silenced” and invisible group of elders whose stories may help to make improvements in the quality of living and well-being for the aging South Asian immigrant population in Canada.