Search Results (115)

This study examines how immigrants build the everyday foundations of life in the host society through food provisioning practices. Many previous studies have explored immigrant adaptation from organizational or cultural perspectives. By contrast, this study focuses on the daily procurement of familiar food. It views food provisioning as part of the ongoing process of home in the making, through which home gradually takes shape in everyday life by linking material access, social relations, and cultural continuity. The desire for familiar food is common among immigrants and reflects the habitus embodied through everyday food practices. As migrants enter a new social and material field, this habitus is continuously negotiated and adapted, giving rise to new food provisioning practices. Against this theoretical background, this study examines how these everyday practices shape immigrants’ lives in the host society. This study takes Chinese residents in Japan as research subjects. Based on a questionnaire survey of 317 Chinese residents, this study shows that fresh vegetables and fruits are perceived as particularly difficult to obtain. Some Chinese residents therefore use diverse provisioning practices, including home gardening, sharing, exchange, and small-scale sales. The study then examines cases of Chinese residents’ home gardens and small-scale commercial gardens as sites of food provisioning. The qualitative cases reveal that crop choices, cultivation methods, circulation routes, and garden scale are flexibly adjusted according to family needs, customer demand, land access, labor capacity, and seasonality. These practices enable Chinese residents to secure familiar food, organize everyday life, and develop social relations with co-ethnic residents and members of the wider local society. The findings suggest that garden-based food provisioning represents an informal, everyday pathway of integration shaped by the material and social conditions of life in Japan. Full article

Introduction: Chinese seniors in North America represent a growing population, and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) continues to play an important role in their health practices; however, TCM use has not been comprehensively synthesized from an immigrant perspective in North America. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore the use of TCM by Chinese seniors in Canada and the United States of America (USA). Methods: This scoping review is written in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AgeLine, ERIC, ProQuest, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsycARTICLES, Sociology Database, and Education Research Complete were selected for the literature search, which was conducted in August 2025. Articles were included if they investigated the use of any form of TCM among Chinese seniors aged 65 years or older living in the USA and Canada, and were published in an English-language peer-reviewed journal. Results: Twenty-four studies were included in this review, with a total sample size of 7288. The findings indicated that, in the majority of the included studies, over half of the Chinese seniors used some form of TCM. TCM therapies included over-the-counter herbal products, TCM-based physical activities, TCM practitioner consulting, and TCM food practices and therapies. Use of TCM among Chinese seniors was related to musculoskeletal symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, mental health, severe acute respiratory syndrome prevention, cancer screening, and oral health. Chinese seniors tend to integrate TCM with Western medicine in their healthcare practices. Several factors from individual, familial, and community levels influenced Chinese seniors’ use of TCM. Conclusions: Future research should investigate the integration of TCM with Western healthcare, the training of healthcare providers to improve their understanding of TCM, and the underlying mechanisms of TCM products. Full article

Background: Chinese immigrant families of autistic children in the United States face intersecting barriers related to language, culture, immigration, and fragmented service systems. Yet little is known about how Chinese immigrant parents engage in advocacy or how such efforts relate to disability and human rights. Methods: This qualitative study draws on in-depth interviews with fourteen Chinese immigrant parents of autistic children across multiple U.S. regions. Data were triangulated with analyses of publicly recorded advocacy events and parent-produced textual materials. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine motivations for advocacy, advocacy practices, and structural, linguistic, and cultural constraints. Results: Advocacy rarely emerged as an intentional or identity-driven pursuit. Instead, parents were compelled into advocacy through institutional exclusion, service denial, and unmet care needs. Parents engaged in diverse forms of advocacy, including migration, negotiation within institutions, information translation, community-building, and grassroots organizational leadership. Cultural norms shaped advocacy strategies, producing quiet, relational, and collective forms of action often overlooked in dominant rights-based models. Conclusions: Interpreted through a disability justice lens, parental advocacy functions as burdened and unequally distributed labor compensating for systemic failures. Findings underscore the need for institutional reforms that reduce reliance on families’ capacity to fight for access, dignity, and care. Full article

The spatial distribution of immigrants and associated patterns of residential segregation and integration can manifest not only at the metropolitan scale but also at finer micro-spatial resolutions, reflecting the interaction between path dependence and structural reconfiguration. This article examines the micro-spatial residential patterns of Chinese immigrants in Seoul under institutional and market constraints. Using a Spatial Durbin Model and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression, it shows that from 2011 to 2025, immigrant settlements shifted from a monocentric pattern to a polycentric, functionally differentiated, and networked structure. While overall spatial embeddedness is high and segregation remains low, traditional cores such as Guro–Daerim persist. Selective clustering is shaped by path-dependent migrant networks, urban redevelopment policies, and intra-group differentiation, while infrastructure homogenization renders transportation accessibility a background condition. The findings support segmented assimilation theory in high-density East Asian cities and underscore the importance of incorporating immigrant needs into urban policy to promote inclusive integration. Full article

Caregiver communicative behaviors are critical in supporting social and language development in children with autism, yet little is known about how these behaviors manifest among Chinese immigrant families who face unique cultural and socioeconomic challenges. This study examined the communicative strategies of 11 Chinese immigrant caregivers of preschool-aged children with autism in the US during structured caregiver–child interactions. Caregiver behaviors were coded across directive and non-directive categories, including supportive directives, directives, labeling, praise, imitation, and expansion, and joint engagement quality was rated using the Joint Engagement Rating Inventory (JERI). Results showed that supportive directives and directives were the most frequent behaviors, reflecting cultural values of parental guidance and educational scaffolding, whereas non-directive strategies such as imitation and expansion were less common and more often observed among higher-income and more acculturated families. Caregiver self-efficacy in using evidence-based strategies was positively associated with greater use of non-directive communicative strategies and higher joint engagement scores. Results suggest that providers should recognize and build on culturally grounded strengths, such as the educator role and calm authority, while introducing complementary strategies that enhance joint engagement. Culturally and linguistically responsive support is especially needed to ensure equitable access for families with limited English proficiency or lower income. Although limited by a small sample size, this exploratory study provides preliminary insight into culturally influenced caregiver–child communication patterns and offers directions for larger, more rigorous research. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to understand gaps and strategies in Chinese Americans’ utilization of SDOH services in the pediatric primary care context in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, from a patient–provider partnership perspective. Methods: The study was guided by an integrated Patient–Provider Partnership, Engagement, and Collaboration (PEC) framework that influenced patient–provider interaction during the provision of SDOH services. A qualitative study design was applied, and eight quality improvement interviews with healthcare providers were conducted to understand the existing community and health service system context. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with Mandarin-speaking Chinese American caregivers. Interviews were transcribed and coded in Mandarin and then translated into English. Results: Consistent with the PEC framework, we identified cognitive, affective, and communication gaps from both the patient and provider. Caregivers reported unaddressed needs in food, financial security, and mental health. Providers identified gaps in patient workflow, staffing, and the intake form process. Conclusions: Addressing social determinants of health among Chinese American immigrant populations is crucial for mitigating poor health outcomes in children and families. Multi-level community-engaged strategies are needed to alleviate the challenges facing this community. Recommendations for future research should consider the importance of language and cultural affinity, digital intake forms translated into the patient’s language, and regular on-site staffing during SDOH screenings. Full article

Background/Objectives: While immigrants represent 21% of Canada’s total population, they represent 30% of the country’s older population. Sociocultural and economic barriers to the Canadian healthcare system have been frequently reported among older adult immigrants. These barriers are intricately linked to a vastly understudied phenomenon-transnational health practices (THP), which may involve travelling to home countries for healthcare, accessing medicine and health-related information and resources linked to home countries. This study aimed to explore the relationships among local healthcare experiences in Canada, individual characteristics and use of THP among older adult immigrants. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used combining statistical, spatial and qualitative methods to analyze group patterns of THP and its influencing factors. Primary data was collected through surveys and focus groups of older Mainland Chinese and older South Korean immigrants residing in Toronto. They are the two largest East Asian groups in Canada, with documented transnational ties with their home country. Results: The study found that THP were sought by both groups but were more prevalent among older Chinese immigrants. By integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses, the study revealed complex relationships between THP and barriers in local healthcare access relating to wait times, cost, language, availability, spatial accessibility and quality of care, for different types of care including primary, specialist, eye and dental care. Conclusions: The study generates new knowledge on THP in Canada and adds to the growing body of literature on transnational healthcare practices and behaviours among migrants across different countries and regions. It provides implications to inform health policy and deliver care for older adult immigrants as their populations continue to increase. Full article

Background: Health system literacy is crucial for immigrants to navigate health care systems and access necessary services. Little is known about how well immigrants understand and use the healthcare system in Canada. This study aimed to adapt and validate a health system literacy scale for the Canadian context (HSL-CAN). Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from March 11 to July 19, 2024, among Chinese individuals aged 30 or older who have lived in Canada for at least 6 months. The HSL-CAN was developed through a literature review, patient and provider consultation, and adaptation of the European Health Literacy Population Survey 2019–2021 for navigational health literacy measurement (HLS₁₉–NAV) and was then translated into simplified and traditional Chinese. Content validity was evaluated via stakeholders’ feedback, and structural validity was evaluated via exploratory and confirmatory analyses (EFA/CFA). Convergent and discriminant validity, as well as known-group validity, were tested using correlations with the HLS₁₉-SF12, ANOVA (or t-test), and effect size. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and composite reliability. Results: Initially, HSL-CAN contained 25 items developed using a five-point Likert response scale. Some minor revisions were made according to the stakeholders’ feedback (n = 12). Five redundancy items were removed based on the EFA. CFA supported a one-factor model with good fit indices (CFI = 0.960, TLI = 0.955, SRMR = 0.033, RMSEA = 0.025),${\chi }^2$/df = 1.41). The scale showed a solid internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.81; composite reliability = 0.812). The HSL-CAN is highly correlated with the “health care” construct but lowly with the “health prevention and promotion” construct of HLS₁₉–SF12. Known-group validity showed large mean differences by education, income, and non-cancer chronic comorbidities and small to moderate mean differences by gender, age groups, employment status, self-rated health, and assistance needed to see a healthcare provider. Conclusions: The HSL-CAN is the first validated instrument to evaluate health system literacy in the Chinese population in Canada. Given strong validity and reliability, the instrument can be useful for research and practice, although further refinement is recommended before using this scale on the general population in Canada. Full article

Post-monolingual circumstances are increasing reflecting the growing occurrence of multilingualism, migration, and advancing communication technologies. Cultural groups value maintaining heritage languages while also learning the ones in their new life environments. Heritage language maintenance is, for example, promoted by immigrant parents and grandparents in the Northern Netherlands, as well as in other locations. Maintaining cultural heritage language also needs innovative instructional approaches and pedagogy. This article presents a study exploring the role of peer collaboration in supporting children’s Chinese heritage language use and learning in New York City. Drawn from sociocultural theory and extended in prior research examining peer collaboration in writing development, we focused on understanding the role of peer collaboration in Chinese immigrant children’s Chinese heritage language use in an after-school (Sunday school) program. In collaboration with organizers of the school, our study involved a 30 min peer collaboration writing activity. The activity invited children to collaborate with a peer to write a letter about the fun experiences they had in the Chinese language school. Interaction processes and products were collected and analyzed to address two primary research questions including the following: What are the languages and peer collaboration processes that children in this Chinese language school used in their conversations and in the text of the letters they created together? How did children’s use of Chinese and English during peer collaboration relate to language in the texts they wrote? Results indicated that children played diverse, mutually supportive roles during their collaboration, such as suggesting narrative sequences for the letter, including confirming/agreeing, and correcting and clarifying, although different pairs balanced such strategies somewhat differently. Among numerous findings is that children used Mandarin most frequently when narrating events that they found enjoyable at the Chinese language school. The findings fill a gap in research on multilingual peer collaboration, in particular with Chinese and English in the United States. In addition to those findings, research in an after-school heritage language program provides a model for innovative research in practice. Full article

China’s urbanization has undergone decades of extensive development, resulting in significant imbalances between urban land conversion and population growth, with a variety of environmental consequences. This study examines the temporal and spatial characteristics of land conversion and population growth in 286 Chinese cities from 1986 to 2010, as well as the possible threats to food security associated with land urbanization at this time. We found that, in China, the rate of urban land conversion far outpaces that of urban population growth, with this imbalance being more prominent in the Yangtze River Basin and cities in the eastern coastal provinces than that in other areas. Although the rate of land urbanization has been higher than that of population urbanization for many years, many cities still have a relatively low construction land area per capita (<50 m²/person), and they are mainly concentrated in the Yangtze River Basin. Although large areas of high-quality farmland have been converted to “new cities” without enough immigrants to utilize the developed infrastructure, the impact of this loss of arable land on food production has been insignificant. However, the waste of land caused by blind land expansion without considering population growth is still a cause for concern. Full article

As a cultural corridor connecting the Central Plains and Northeast China, the Liaoxi Corridor has a special position in the transmission of traditional Chinese culture. Traditional villages in the region have preserved rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional architectural features, which highlight the historical heritage of multicultural intermingling. This study fills the gap in the spatial distribution of traditional villages in the Liaoxi Corridor and reveals their spatial distribution pattern, which is of great theoretical significance. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis and quantitative geography, this study analyzes the spatial pattern of traditional villages and the influencing factors. The results show that traditional villages in the Liaoxi Corridor are clustered, forming high-density settlement areas in Chaoyang County and Beizhen City. Most villages are located in hilly and mountainous areas and river valleys and are affected by the natural geographic environment (topography and water sources) and historical and human factors (immigration and settlement, border defense, ethnic integration, etc.). In conclusion, this study provides a scientific basis and practical reference for rural revitalization, cultural heritage protection, and regional coordinated development, aiming at revealing the geographical and cultural mechanisms behind the spatial distribution of traditional villages. Full article

Drawing on data from a three-year longitudinal study of 56 Chinese–Canadian families with early elementary school-aged children, this study explores Chinese immigrant parents’ lived-through emotional experiences of heritage language maintenance (HLM). Informed by Vygotsky’s concept of perezhivanie, thematic analysis of annual interview data reveals the mixed and refracted nature of parental emotions involved in Chinese language preservation and bilingual child-rearing. These emotional experiences were profoundly shaped by the intersection of environmental, personal, and situational factors and were deeply entangled with parents’ perceptions of and attitudes toward their children’s heritage language learning and use at home. The emotional work involved significantly influenced the parents’ language and literacy planning and HLM practices. By foregrounding the emotional dimensions of heritage language education, this study offers important implications for educational stakeholders seeking to support immigrant parents both emotionally and practically in raising bilingual children in the host country. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although several studies have examined the importance of social capital to individual health, the relationship between social capital and family well-being remains unclear. This study examines the relationships among social capital, parental depressive symptoms, and family well-being, and evaluates whether parental depressive symptoms mediate the association between social capital and family well-being in immigrant Chinese and native Japanese families. Methods: A cross-sectional study using Google questionnaires was conducted between January and April 2024 among parents of local Japanese and immigrant Chinese families with children. The survey assessed demographics and social capital using the PSCS-16 and K6 Scale, family well-being using the General Functioning Index of the Family Assessment Device, and family life satisfaction using the New Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Multiple-group structural equation modeling clarified the association between bonding and bridging social capital and family well-being. Results: The survey data was collected from 133 parents (75 Japanese and 58 Chinese) of preschool children aged six years and under. About 81.2% of respondents were mothers and 18.8% were fathers, with the majority aged between 30 to 39 years (63.9%). Bonding social capital was positively associated with family well-being among Japanese families. In Chinese families, bonding social capital was indirectly associated with family well-being by reducing parental depressive symptoms. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of enhancing bonding social capital to benefit both native and immigrant families. Besides, policymakers should consider tailored strategies that reflect the differing needs of both groups. Full article

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, long COVID emerged as a significant threat to public health, characterized by one or more persistent symptoms impacting organ systems beyond 12 weeks of infection. Informative research has been derived from assessments of long COVID among the Chinese populace. However, none of these studies considered the COVID-19 experience of Chinese residents in Canada. Objectives: We aimed to fill this literature gap by delineating the long COVID experience, prevalence, and associated factors among a sample of Chinese residing in Canada during the pandemic. Methods: The present study employed a cross-sectional online survey questionnaire distributed to a sample of Canadian Chinese using a convenience sampling procedure from 22 December 2022 to 15 February 2023. Respondents were probed for sociodemographic background and health-, COVID-, and vaccine-related characteristics. Logistic LASSO regression was used for model building, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with developing long COVID. Results: Among 491 eligible participants, 63 (12.83%) reported experiencing long COVID with a mean duration of 5.31 (95% CI: 4.06–6.57) months and major symptoms including difficulty concentrating (21.67%), pain/discomfort (15.00%), as well as anxiety/depression (8.33%). Our final model identified significant associations between long COVID and two or more COVID-19 infections (OR = 23.725, 95% CI: 5.098–110.398, p < 0.0001), very severe/severe symptoms (OR = 3.177, 95% CI: 1.160–8.702, p = 0.0246), over-the-counter medicine (OR = 2.473, 95% CI: 1.035–5.909, p = 0.0416), and traditional Chinese medicine (OR = 8.259, 95% CI: 3.016–22.620, p < 0.0001). Further, we identified a significant protective effect of very good/good health status (OR = 0.247, 95% CI: 0.112–0.544, p = 0.0005). Conclusions: Long COVID effected a notable proportion of Canadian Chinese for a prolonged period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings underscore the importance of preexisting health status and reinfection prevention when managing long COVID. Moreover, our work indicates an association between using over-the-counter medicine or traditional Chinese medicine and long COVID experience among Canadian Chinese. Full article

Background: Vast spatial mobility changes happened globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, profoundly affecting older adults’ well-being and active aging experience. This study aims to examine how the virtual environment and cyberspace, in conjunction with the physical and social neighbourhood environments, influence outdoor activities and spatial mobility for older immigrants. Methods: Four online focus groups were conducted with 25 older Chinese immigrants aged 65 and over in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. The focus groups explored coping strategies during the pandemic and spatial mobility patterns related to different activity types such as grocery shopping, leisure activities and physical exercises, social and familial activities, and healthcare. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted guided by the neighbourhood and health theoretical framework. Results: The overall engagement of older Chinese immigrants in various types of outdoor activities declined drastically and the spatial mobility pattern was complex. This change was shaped largely by the intersecting physical/built (e.g., residential conditions, access to public spaces), social (e.g., social support, interpersonal cohesion) and virtual (e.g., online communities and internet-based resources) environmental factors, as well as individual risk perceptions towards COVID-19 and public health interventions during the pandemic. Conclusions: Virtual environment emerged as an important domain that compensates for the heavily reduced spatial mobility of the group during the pandemic. It functioned as a vital channel for older Chinese immigrants to sustain the necessary leisure, social, and healthcare-related activities and maintain well-being during the pandemic. The study provides implications for addressing neighbourhood-level factors in policymaking and implementing initiatives to enhance active ageing experience of older Chinese immigrants. Full article