Activism as a feature of mental health and wellbeing for racialized immigrant women in a Canadian context. Issue 2 (1st February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: MacDonnell, Judith A.; Dastjerdi, Mahdieh; Khanlou, Nazilla; Bokore, Nimo; Tharao, Wangari
• Is Part Of: Health care for women international. Volume 38:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 187
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2017-02-01
• Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female; Neonatology; Obstetrics; Women -- psychology; Femmes -- Santé et hygiène -- Périodiques; Femmes -- Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; 613.0424405
• DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2016.1254632
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-9332

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Although immigrant women bear a disproportionate burden of chronic disease and mental health issues, limited research addresses how to promote their mental wellbeing. The authors first describe grounded theory findings from community-based focus group research with 57 racialized immigrant women in Toronto, Canada that used a critical gender and intersectional lens to explore the links among settlement, wellbeing, and activism. Secondly, a community mobilization strategy is described whereby racialized immigrant women discuss activism as a feature of wellbeing in various language communities while creating meaningful health promotion resources. Implications for creating activism-based initiatives to promote women's wellbeing are discussed.