Simich Laura, Wu Fei, Nerad Sonja
Social Equity and Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON.
Can J Public Health. 2007 Sep-Oct;98(5):369-73. doi: 10.1007/BF03405421.
This qualitative study explores experiences of living without regular immigration status and implications for health security among irregular migrants in Toronto. Irregular migrants include those who lack secure status in Canada, including visitors who overstay visas; refugee claimants awaiting status determination; and failed claimants remaining in the country without authorization, awaiting deportation or following alternative procedures when judicial appeal is impossible.
In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with irregular migrants recruited at a downtown community health centre. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using grounded theory and qualitative analytical techniques. The theoretical framework employed anthropological metaphors of liminality and examined psychosocial factors associated with stress.
Experiences of the study sample counter popular assumptions about irregular immigrants. The majority of study participants came to Canada to escape violence as well as lack of economic opportunity in home countries in Latin America, and most have tried to follow correct immigration procedures. Most are parents working in low-paying, exploitative jobs. They have attempted to lead productive and meaningful lives, but lack social support beyond the immediate family. They showed signs of suffering from trauma, depression, chronic stress, family separation and stress-related physical illnesses. Despite expressing self-esteem and using personal coping skills effectively, many reported unmet health needs and described barriers to help-seeking. Beyond the individual, the greatest impact of living without status appeared to be on the family, especially the children.
More comprehensive information about this growing population is needed for health promotion, provision of mental health services and fair policy formulation.
本定性研究探讨了在多伦多无正规移民身份的生活经历以及对非正规移民健康安全的影响。非正规移民包括那些在加拿大没有安全身份的人，包括逾期停留签证的访客；等待身份确定的难民申请者；以及未经授权留在该国、等待驱逐或在无法进行司法上诉时遵循替代程序的申请失败者。
在市中心的社区健康中心对招募的非正规移民进行了深入的半结构化访谈。访谈记录采用扎根理论和定性分析技术进行编码和分析。理论框架采用了阈限的人类学隐喻，并研究了与压力相关的心理社会因素。
研究样本的经历与关于非正规移民的普遍假设相悖。大多数研究参与者来到加拿大是为了逃避暴力以及拉丁美洲家乡缺乏经济机会的状况，并且大多数人都试图遵循正确的移民程序。大多数人是从事低薪、剥削性工作的父母。他们试图过上有成效且有意义的生活，但除了直系亲属外缺乏社会支持。他们表现出遭受创伤、抑郁、慢性压力、家庭分离以及与压力相关的身体疾病的迹象。尽管表达了自尊并有效地运用了个人应对技巧，但许多人报告了未满足的健康需求，并描述了寻求帮助的障碍。除了个人层面，无身份生活的最大影响似乎体现在家庭，尤其是孩子身上。
为了促进健康、提供心理健康服务以及制定公平政策，需要更多关于这一不断增长的人群的全面信息。
