Mental health of migrant mothers in early childhood in Canada: The role of transnational ties

Recently arrived migrant mothers often report more emotional difficulties and poorer mental health than their non-migrant counterparts. Not only must they adjust to life in a new country but also navigate parenthood in an environment where familiar cultural and social reference points are limited. This study investigated the extent to which transnational social, cultural, and economic ties shape the mental health of recently arrived migrant mothers with young children (0-5 years old). A total of 408 migrant mothers of diverse origins and statuses in three Canadian cities (Montreal, Hamilton, and Edmonton) completed interview-administered, translated (5 languages) questionnaires covering demographic and migration background, social support, and transnational ties. Structural equation modeling was used to examine how these ties relate to loneliness, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress, while controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors. Findings show that a high sense of belonging to the home country, stressful contacts with friends and family abroad, and having either all confidants abroad or no confidants at all, were associated with higher levels of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and stress. Visits from child’s grandparents living abroad who come to help with childcare and pleasant contacts with friends and family abroad contributed positively to mothers’ well-being. Economic ties, measured as financial strain from providing money or supplies to people living outside Canada, were unrelated to well‑being. Beyond the role of transnational ties, social support emerged as the strongest overall predictor of well-being; having someone to rely on was consistently linked to better outcomes. Taken together, the results point to the nuanced role that transnational ties play in the lives of migrant mothers, and to the continued importance of concrete, dependable support in their day-to-day lives, including childcare support from grandparents residing abroad.

Key messages

• Migrant mothers’ well being is shaped positively and negatively by transnational ties, and depends on reliable, supportive people in daily life, including childcare support from grandparents abroad.

• Quality of transnational ties matters; while maintaining contact is important, stressful ties increase loneliness, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress.