Children of Immigrants: The Adjustment of Ugandan Asian Primary-School Children in Canada

Abstract

The study examines the psychological and academic adjustment to Canada of 51 Ugandan Asian primary school-aged children and their families. Twenty-six percent of all the children showed significant psychopathology and about 50 percent had difficulties in certain academic subjects. The psychopathology of the children was significantly correlated with the family's drop in income and professional prestige. The children's parents predominantly worked in unskilled jobs and all family members had made only very few personal contacts with white Canadians. Nevertheless a significant number of families were under great stress as female members rebelled against their traditional roles. These findings are discussed in relation to other studies dealing with recent immigrants.