Citation

Kim THM, Deol S, Lee M, Tamim H. J. Immigr. Minor. Health 2019; 21(1): 56-65.

Affiliation

School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, M3J1P3, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10903-018-0712-y

PMID

29435947

Abstract

Physical aggression (PA) is important to regulate as early as the preschool years in order to ensure healthy development of children. This study aims to determine the prevalence and characteristics of PA in children of immigrant and non-immigrant mothers. Secondary data analysis was conducted using the nationwide 2010 Survey for Young Canadians, limited to children 4-9 years of age. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was performed, with the outcome, PA, and covariates including maternal, child, household and neighbourhood characteristics. Twenty percent of children of non-immigrant mothers and 16% of children of immigrant mothers reported PA. The only common characteristic of PA between children of non-immigrant (Adj OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.09-1.89) and immigrant mothers (Adj OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.07-4.03) was viewing violent movies/shows. The characteristics of PA differ between children of immigrant versus non-immigrant mothers therefore healthcare providers, policy makers, and researchers should be mindful to address PA in these two groups separately, and find ways to tailor current recommended coping strategies and teach children alternative ways to solve problems based on their needs.

Language: en

Keywords

Immigrants; Mothers; Physical aggression; Preschool children