Language acquisition, unemployment and depressive disorder among SoutheastAsian refugees: a 10-year study

The current study examines the risk-inducing effects of unemployment and th e protective effects of language facility on the mental health of Southeast Asian refugees resettling in Canada. Rates of depression and of unemployme nt declined dramatically during the first decade after arrival. Although la nguage fluency also improved during this period, approximately 8% of the sa mple spoke no English even after 10 years in the country. Initial depressio n was a strong predictor of subsequent depression. For males, job experienc e in Canada was the strongest predictor of subsequent employment whereas, f or women, depression proved an important predictor of employability. For me n in particular, unemployment was a potent risk factor for depression. Duri ng the initial period of resettlement, English-speaking ability had no effe ct on depression or on employment. However, by the end of the first decade in Canada, English language fluency was a significant predictor of depressi on and employment, particularly among refugee women and among people who di d not become engaged in the labor market during the earliest years of reset tlement. Study results demonstrate that the mental health salience of risk and protective factors changes according to the phase of resettlement. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.