Current Research
Culture and serious or life-threatening illness: perspectives from young people with cancer and eating disorders
Culture plays a critical role in how serious and life-threatening illnesses, including cancer and eating disorders, are experienced, understood, and managed by young people and their families. This research area explores how culture, including cultural values and identities, acculturation, and migration status, shape the illness journey, including how people make sense of their diagnoses, navigate with their day-to-day, and engage with healthcare systems.
We use qualitative and mixed-method approaches to centre the voices of underrepresented and underserved communities. Knowledge is gathered to develop and test culturally responsive approaches that are better attuned to the needs of diverse youth and families.
Advancing health equity for children with health complexity
Children with health complexity, including those with severe neurological conditions, are an equity-denied group. These children and their families often face disadvantages in accessing timely and specialty care. This research area focuses on understanding health equity considerations and the impact of health systems on the outcomes and care experiences of children with health complexity and their families.
Using implementation science and patient-oriented research methods, we collaborate closely with families and community pediatricians and organizations to develop, test, and refine research-informed care pathways. Our goal is to empower families, enhance the capacity of clinicians, and support more inclusive and community-based care for children with health complexity.
Parent-child relationships, acculturation, and well-being of immigrant families
When immigrant families settle in a new cultural environment, parents and their children often adjust in different ways. This experience can be especially complex during in young adulthood, as young people navigate both their heritage culture and the broader Canadian context. Family relationships play a vital role in supporting these periods of change, but what makes these relationships unique for immigrant families living in Canada?
This research area explores how migration experiences, cultural values, and intergenerational dynamics shape the psychological health and quality of life of immigrant young people, especially as they navigate major life decisions such as forming new relationships, pursuing education and careers, and gaining independence. We also examine how these cultural and structural factors impact overall family well-being. This work aims to uncover and celebrate the cultural strengths within immigrant families, and to enhance the well-being of immigrant young people and their family.
We gratefully acknowledge our funders for their support of our research.
