This study explores how gender roles shape transnational caregiving among Nigerian immigrants between northern BC and Nigeria. It examines the persistence or renegotiation of traditional caregiving expectations and how carers navigate societal norms, professional roles, and personal motivations. It also investigates how the elder care recipient’s gender influences caregiving dynamics, including cultural taboos, communication, and family interactions. This qualitative study employed a narrative inquiry approach, guided by a care and gender (Gender+) lens, to explore the caregiving experiences of 10 Nigerian immigrant carers (five women, five men) residing in northern BC and supporting elderly relatives in Nigeria. Participants were recruited through snowball and purposive sampling. A pre-interview survey captured demographic and caregiving background data. In-depth semi-structured interviews elicited personal caregiving narratives, and thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns related to gender, culture, and transnational caregiving dynamics. The study revealed four key themes regarding caregiving practices among Nigerian immigrant families: gendered cultural caregiving expectations, perceptions of caregiving abilities based on gender, resistance to traditional norms, and cultural taboos and gendered caregiving assignments. Caregiving experiences of Nigerian immigrants are influenced primarily by gender, with migration stage, class, and birth order acting as contextual modifiers. Centering a Gender+ lens, this research underscores the need for culturally responsive policies that address the challenges of immigrant carers and support their efforts to fulfil caregiving responsibilities within transnational settings.
Migration can alter elder caregiving practices, redistributing responsibilities across geographically dispersed networks. However, systemic barriers such as economic precarity, limited digital access, and immigration constraints often exacerbate the complexities of elder caregiving in transnational contexts. In addition to the common challenges faced by caregivers, such as emotional strain, logistical coordination, and financial demands, transnational caregivers must also navigate the complexities introduced by physical distance from their care recipients. Technology is a critical tool in bridging these gaps, enabling caregivers to provide emotional support, monitor health, and manage caregiving tasks remotely. This study examines how first-generation Nigerian immigrants navigate transnational eldercare, focusing on the interplay between emotional, relational, technological, and financial dynamics, and offers insights into the evolving nature of caregiving in a globalized world. This qualitative study included N = 10 first-generation Nigerian immigrants residing in Northern BC. The integrated frameworks of transnationalism and intersectionality guided the description of how rural and northern geography, immigration status, and class, reflected through education, occupation, and income narratives, shape elder caregiving practices across borders. An inductive reflexive thematic analysis was employed, using narrative interviews and a brief pre-interview survey to contextualize caregiving roles. Data collection included pre-interview surveys to capture demographic and caregiving contexts, and narrative interviews that provided in-depth accounts of participants’ caregiving experiences across borders. These methods offered a nuanced exploration of the complexities of transnational elder caregiving. Caregivers expressed guilt, helplessness, and emotional strain, but also resilience through familial support and self-care. Migration redistributed caregiving roles, with local families providing physical care and migrants offering financial support and coordination. Tools like WhatsApp and video calls enabled emotional connection and remote monitoring despite digital limitations. Financial remittances sustained care but introduced economic strain. Family bonds were maintained through virtual collaboration, with caregivers navigating cultural tensions. This study reveals the adaptability of Nigerian transnational caregivers as they navigate financial, emotional, and logistical responsibilities across borders. While emphasizing resilience, the findings also highlight systemic challenges-including digital inequities and economic pressures-calling on policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to develop culturally informed policies and targeted support that empower caregivers and enhance well-being in transnational settings.
Background/Rationale: Transnational caregiving may be influenced by religious beliefs and cultural traditions that frame elder care as both a moral and religious obligation. While migration alters caregiving dynamics, religious teachings and cultural expectations remain central in guiding transnational caregiving practices. This study examines how Christian Nigerians who have immigrated to Canada navigate caregiving responsibilities within a transnational context, integrating their religion, cultural values, and the practical realities of crossing borders. Methods: This study employed a predominantly qualitative narrative approach, drawing on in-depth interviews with Nigerian Christian immigrants (N = 10) providing transnational care. Data collection involved a pre-interview survey and semi-structured interviews, providing the opportunity for participants to share their lived experiences. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes related to the role of religion and culture in caregiving, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of participants’ perspectives. Findings: Caregiving is shaped by religious duty and cultural obligation, reinforced by biblical teachings and cultural values. Participants view elder care as a moral responsibility, tied to spiritual rewards and familial duty. Despite migration demands, family-based care remains preferred over institutional care, with social stigma attached to neglecting elders. Conclusions: Religion and culture remain integral to transnational caregiving practices, sustaining caregiving responsibilities despite migration-related realities. While religious teachings provide moral guidance and emotional support, cultural expectations reinforce caregiving as a collective and intergenerational duty. Policies and resources are needed that support transnational caregivers, ensuring they can fulfill their caregiving roles while adapting to new sociocultural environments. Policymakers should prioritize the implementation of policies and programs to support transnational caregivers, including family reunification measures, caregiving-related travel provisions, culturally tailored eldercare services, diaspora–local collaborations, organized caregiver support groups, and financial mechanisms such as tax incentives for remittances dedicated to elder care.
Background/Rationale Migration can alter caregiving practices, redistributing responsibilities across geographically dispersed networks. However, systemic barriers such as economic precarity, limited digital access, and immigration constraints often exacerbate the complexities of caregiving in transnational contexts. In addition to the common challenges faced by caregivers, such as emotional strain, logistical coordination, and financial demands, transnational caregivers must also navigate the complexities introduced by physical distance from their care recipients. Technology has emerged as a critical tool in bridging these gaps, enabling caregivers to provide emotional support, monitor health, and manage caregiving tasks remotely. This study examines how Nigerian immigrants navigate transnational care, focusing on the interplay between technology, economic, and emotional dynamics, and offers insights into the evolving nature of caregiving in a globalized world. Methodology and Methods This qualitative study examined the caregiving experiences of Nigerian immigrants in Northern British Columbia (BC), employing the integrated frameworks of transnationalism and intersectionality. An inductive thematic analysis was employed, with a focus on the emotional, economic, and technological dimensions of caregiving and the influence of migration on caregiving roles. Data collection included pre-interview surveys to capture demographic and caregiving contexts, and narrative interviews that provided in-depth accounts of participants’ caregiving experiences across borders. These methods offered a nuanced exploration of the complexities of transnational caregiving. Results This study identified key themes shaping transnational caregiving among Nigerian immigrants. Caregivers expressed guilt, helplessness, and emotional strain, but also resilience through familial support and self-care. Migration redistributed caregiving roles, with local families providing physical care and migrants offering financial support and coordination. Tools like WhatsApp and video calls enabled emotional connection and remote monitoring despite digital limitations. Financial remittances sustained care but introduced economic strain. Family bonds were maintained through virtual collaboration, with caregivers navigating cultural and gendered tensions. Conclusions This study reveals the adaptability of Nigerian transnational caregivers as they navigate financial, emotional, and logistical responsibilities across borders. While emphasizing resilience, the findings also highlight systemic challenges-including digital inequities and economic pressures-calling on policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to develop culturally informed policies and targeted support that empower caregivers and enhance well-being within an interconnected world.
This integrative review on patterns of elder caregiving in Nigeria synthesizes evolving dynamics and determinants of caregiving practices amid demographic and household change. The objective of this review was to identify prevalent patterns of elder caregiving, explore the roles and responsibilities of caregivers, and examine the challenges and support needs within the Nigerian context. Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Medline were searched in November 2024. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed journal articles published in English focusing on elder caregiving among Nigerians; non-peer-reviewed sources (e.g., dissertations, conference papers, and books) were excluded. Data extraction was performed using a structured matrix, and findings were synthesized thematically. Risk of bias was appraised using SANRA (for narrative reviews) and MMAT (for empirical studies). Twenty studies published between 1991 and December 2022 were included. Analyses were guided by an intersectional conceptual framework spanning five domains: cultural, familial, economic, psychosocial, and policy. The interconnected dimensions illustrate how cultural expectations shape family caregiving roles, which in turn influence economic strain, emotional well-being, and access to institutional support. By emphasizing the interaction among gender, class, and social location within these domains, the framework demonstrates how caregiving operates as a multidimensional and relational process. Thematic synthesis identified six overarching themes: cultural influences, gender differences, family dynamics, economic factors, challenges faced by Nigerian caregivers, and government policies and support. Limitations include reliance on single-reviewer screening and extraction, exclusion of unpublished and non-peer-reviewed sources, restriction to English-language studies, and a focus on the Nigerian context, which may limit generalizability. Findings underscore that elder caregiving in Nigeria is multifaceted and shaped by intersecting gendered, cultural, and economic forces. Policy and practice should prioritize caregiver supports, accessible geriatric services, and gender-sensitive interventions, while future research applies the framework to address gaps in transnational and multilingual evidence.
Conducting an integrative literature review on patterns of elder caregiving in Nigeria is crucial for obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the evolving dynamics and factors that influence caregiving practices in the country. As Nigeria, like many other nations, undergoes demographic shifts, such as an increasing aging population and changing family structures, it becomes essential to examine existing literature. This review aims to identify prevalent patterns of elder caregiving, explore the roles and responsibilities of caregivers, and shed light on the challenges and support needs within the unique Nigerian context. This integrative review examined elder caregiving patterns in Nigeria. The articles were sourced from databases such as Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Medline. The review followed the rigorous integrative review methodology and adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable analysis of the literature. This review utilized a data extraction matrix and thematic analysis to retrieve and analyze relevant information from the selected articles. The review included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published in peer-reviewed academic journals written in English. An intersectional lens was employed to examine the interconnectedness of individual experiences and systems of marginalization. Twenty articles published between 1991 and December 2022 that explored cultural, familial, and societal aspects of elder care-giving in Nigeria were examined. The findings revealed six main themes: cultural influences, gender differences, family dynamics, economic factors, challenges faced by Nigerian caregivers, and government policies and support, shedding light on the current and multifaceted nature of elder caregiving in Nigeria. The study highlights the intricate nature of elder caregiving in Nigeria and emphasizes the significance of enhancing existing support systems while also creating more comprehensive support systems and policies. Addressing challenges faced by caregivers, such as conflicting responsibilities, limited healthcare access, and a lack of formal support, necessitates a multi-dimensional approach involving government interventions, community initiatives, and cultural transformations. Recognizing the intersectional dynamics and promoting inclusive caregiving practices are crucial for enhancing the well-being and quality of life for caregivers and elderly individuals. Future research should further examine transnational caregiving and develop targeted interventions to address the unique needs and challenges in diverse caregiving contexts, both domestically and in the diaspora.
This study explores the state of kinship care in British C olumbia (BC), Canada 10 years after the implementation of major policy reform designed by the provincial government to improve services to kinship caregivers. It arises from a community-based research project that included Parent Support Services (PSS), a charitable nonprofit organization that supports kinship caregivers in BC, and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Two hundred participants were involved, including kinship caregivers and key informants. Data collection used surveys, focus groups, and interviews. The key recommendation from this article is that there should be ongoing evaluation of the experiences of kinship caregivers, particularly after policy changes, to ensure that kinship care programs meet the needs of those for whom they were created. Based on what was shared by the caregivers, secondary recommendations around the provision of supports and services are also provided.
This article reports on data shared by Indigenous kinship caregivers in a larger study on kinship care conducted in British Columbia (BC), Canada. There is a significant amount of research on kinship caregivers, but little of it focuses specifically on Indigenous carers. The findings presented here add to that small but growing body of literature. The larger study was done in partnership between Parent Support Services of BC (PSS), a charitable non-profit organization that supports kinship caregivers in BC, and the University of Northern BC (UNBC) (Burke et al. 2022 Burke, S., J. Bouey, C. Madsen, L. Costello, G. Schmidt, P. Barkaskas, N. White, C. Alder, and R. Murium. 2022. “Kinship Care: Evaluating Policy and Practice.” Journal of Public Child Welfare 1–22. doi:10.1080/15548732.2022.2091721.[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Data for this secondary analysis arose from surveys that focused on the experiences and needs of kinship caregivers. The findings suggest that supports should be delivered in ways that acknowledge the heterogeneity of Indigenous peoples and respond to individual needs, that programs should be designed in ways that support caregivers’ efforts to heal from the impacts of colonialism, and that policies designed for Indigenous kinship carers should be evaluated to ensure their efficacy. Suggestions regarding future research include research that focusses on the optimism that exists among kinship caregivers despite the challenges they face, research on non-grandparent caregivers, and research that is designed to be culturally sensitive to Indigenous peoples.
Background Full parental understanding of a child's diagnosis of a developmental disability is critical to be able to ensure the best health outcome for their child. Yet factors that parents perceived as influencing their comprehension during the final diagnostic meeting have not been well identified. Method This study used a qualitative interpretive description approach. Seventeen parents were interviewed who received a child's developmental diagnosis from one of the clinical multidisciplinary teams located in northern British Columbia. The interviews focused on the factors that played a role in facilitating or impeding the parents' understanding of their child's diagnosis, and on the identification of factors that influenced the way in which the child's clinical recommendations were pursued. Results Two overarching themes with nine subthemes emerged from parents' reported experiences of receiving their child's developmental diagnosis. The themes and subthemes included (a) clinical encounter (including the subthemes structural considerations, professional diversity and new insights, questions regarding the assessment process, and validation) and (b) manner of the delivery of the diagnosis (emotional impact, impact on parenting practices, professionalism, professional language, and quantity of information). Conclusions Parents' accounts established and clarified the positive and negative parental determinants that aided or challenged their ability to understand their child's developmental diagnosis during the final clinical interaction with the multidisciplinary team.
Organisations such as the United Nations and the United States Department of State have noted that child trafficking in Ethiopia is a very serious problem. Famine, war and disease have devastated many Ethiopian families and children are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking that is internal and external in nature. This qualitative exploratory research examined the perceived effectiveness of the agency and organiational responses to the problem of child trafficking in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. A total of 13 child care organisational managers and directors were recruited from the Tigray regional capital of Mekelle. They were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interview transcriptions were analysed using thematic analysis. The thematic analysis pointed to challenges and difficulties in funding childcare organisations, problems in identifying victims, poor coordination between agencies, and a lack of leadership from the Mekelle Child Centre Forum.
Social work research and literature in the area of supervision tends to focus on the supervision of field education students. Less attention is given to the supervision of social work practitioners and there is almost no information that examines how social workers become supervisors. This exploratory study interviewed 27 practicing social work supervisors across different fields of social work practice in Western Canada. The participants included 15 supervisors with a graduate degree and 12 supervisors with an undergraduate degree. The supervisors completed a brief questionnaire that was followed by a structured interview. Supervisors were asked how they came to be social work supervisors. Thematic analysis of the supervisors' responses revealed three pathways to supervision: task exposure, supervision by happen chance, and deliberate decision. The responses suggested that additional focus on supervision might be included in undergraduate education and that universities, professional associations, and employers pay more attention to succession planning.
This literature review sought to examine the extant literature on the relationship between emergency response services (ERS) personnel and suicide in Canada. The purpose was to determine what research has been conducted on suicide and suicide ideation among ERS, to contribute to knowledge in the area, and also to identify potential research gaps. Through a search of multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Psyc Articles, Psyc Info, Science Direct, CINAHL) and additional hand searching, 40 articles were identified to meet search criteria and provide relevant information on this topic. The articles revealed that research has primarily focused on the traumatic stress and critical incidents encountered by emergency responders, while little research has been conducted specifically on suicide within these professions. The minimal research that has focused on suicide generally discusses ERS encounters with suicide victims and patients, rather than suicide in the context of their personal mental health. The limited research that does discuss ERS suicide is largely restricted to law enforcement and military personnel. Finally, the literature search identified a particular lack of research relevant to the Canadian context. A research agenda is recommended to further investigate suicide among ERS within Canada, and the impact these suicides have on colleagues, families and friends.
The present study described participatory action research regarding behavioral health of firefighters. At the request of the participant fire department, the Veterans' Affairs Wellness kit was used to provide wellness information to members. During the intervention, qualitative data from the researcher perspective was collected and subsequently coded to reveal themes about lessons learned during provision of the materials. Following the intervention at the department level, individual interviews were completed with a subsample of members and their spouses. The combined outcomes from these two research phases suggest that wellness interventions for firefighters should be informal, firefighter-specific, focused on programs endorsed by firefighter-related organizations, and supported by management and frontline supervisors. From our data, we suggest that the Veterans' Affairs Wellness kit should be studied further as a potentially meaningful fire service intervention. Further, we propose that this and other interventions should take into account job aspects identified as important by both members and their spouses.
Cognitive dissonance is a state of tension occurring when a person holds two psychologically inconsistent cognitions. For this study, 21 social workers who facilitate transracial adoption plans for Aboriginal children in British Columbia were interviewed: 1) Do social workers who facilitate transracial adoption plans for Aboriginal children experience cognitive dissonance? If so, in what ways? 2) How does cognitive dissonance impact them? 3) In what ways do social workers reconcile a sense of dissonance? Findings suggest that social workers do experience cognitive dissonance, that they are adversely impacted, and that they find ways to reconcile the cognitive dissonance.
This research uses a case study method to interview women from the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada whose male partners work away in the oil sands of northern Alberta. They are engaged in what is usually referred to as long distance commuting (LDC). Using a semi-structured interview guide, responses are analysed using thematic analysis. Seven themes emerge from the interview data: challenges; partners role; parenting; informal support; benefits; coping mechanisms; and future plans. Unlike previous research with this population, it is clear male partners participate and make significant contributions to household management when they are at home. Modern communication also ensures men are able to keep in touch with their female partners and children on a regular basis. Although the women interviewed do not prefer this type of family arrangement, the challenges are not as immense as they were prior to the development of modern communication methods.
The Carrier First Nations, who are the original inhabitants of North Central British Columbia, have endured years of hardship as a result of European colonization. Over time, this has resulted in an erosion of traditional practices and a decline in overall health. There is concern that mental health practitioners are not meeting the needs of the Carrier people because they fail to understand the Carrier worldview. In an effort to better understand and respect the Carrier ideas and beliefs about mental health and mental illness, interviews were conducted with 7 traditional healers about their beliefs and their practices. The traditional healers reported that the concept of mental illness did not exist in pre-contact culture. However, the traditional healers who participated in this research actively practise ceremonies and rituals that seek to restore balance and harmony between the person and his or her environment.
This study explores the adjustment process for Chinese immigrant women in remote communities of northern British Columbia. The issues they face in the adjustment process include social isolation, underemployment, severe weather, a different lifestyle, marriages "behind screens," and challenges of parenting. The women's social support networks are demonstrated to be one of the most important factors in adjusting to the new country. Competent social work practice with Chinese immigrant women requires personal self-awareness, knowledge of the clients' worldviews, familiarity with their social support networks, and respect for diversity.
The growth of global economies, particularly in Asia, has resulted in an increased demand for natural resources. Canada is a large country rich in hydrocarbons and minerals, and the exploitation of these resources is a priority for Canadian provincial and federal governments. In their rush to reap the economic benefits of resource development, governments have concentrated on creating optimal conditions for the corporations that exploit and produce the resources in northern and remote regions of the country. The rapid promotion of development has meant that families and communities are usually given secondary consideration. The changes associated with resource development exert some serious negative effects on communities and families, and it is important for social workers to understand this reality in order to deliver service in an effective manner.This research used a case study method to examine three examples of the effects of resource development on families and communities in Canada: long distance commuting to the Athabaska oil sands and the effects on families in Newfoundland, diamond mining and the Tlicho people of Wekwee´ti´ in the Northwest Territories, and the large influx of construction workers to develop the processing and port facilities in the community of Kitimat in northwestern British Columbia. The results can inform social work education, as well as the practice of social workers located in remote communities affected by rapid resource development.