Community Based

Asian-Canadian youth identities in a pandemic era: Arts-based research

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khanlou

The overall research question is: How has the pandemic impacted Asian-Canadian youth's identities, sense of belonging, and agency?

The specific objectives are to:

  1. Examine Asian-Canadian youth (16-24 years old) identities through individual based (visual: Self-Portraits, Relational Maps) and group based (drama: Readers Theatre) ABR methods;
  2. Evaluate findings from in-person and online methods;
  3. Engage youth in participatory and digital knowledge transfer activities; and
  4. Inform youth-centred practice, policy, and scholarship through an equity-informed lens addressing exclusionary discourses and discriminatory practices during the pandemic’s response and recovery phases.

Funded by SSHRC Insight Grant (2022-2025)

Social suport for racialized families of youth with developmental disabilities: Intersectionality informed research

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khanlou

The specific objectives of the research are to:

  1. Conduct a scoping review of literature on a) barriers and facilitators of social support for racialized families of youth with DDs (ages 16-29 years); and b) emerging best practices for provision of equity-informed social support for racialized populations with DDs;
  2. Conduct interviews with racialized (self-identifying as Black, East Asian, or South Asian) youth with DDs and family caregivers on inclusive social support during and beyond the pandemic;
  3. Conduct interviews with stakeholders (disability advocates, service providers, community organizations) to seek their input on existing and recommended social support;
  4. Engage in knowledge exchange and KT/ KMb activities;
  5. Apply for a pan-Canadian SSHRC Insight Grant that examines similarities and differences in social support of racialized families with DDs in Canada’s ethno-racially diverse urban centres.

Funded by SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2022-2024)

Equity-informed intersectoral KMb to address pandemic health disparities experienced by racialized families with developmental disabilities

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khanlou

The overall aim of our project is to advance equity-informed intersectoral knowledge mobilization (KMb) on pandemic health disparities experienced by racialized families of people with DDs. Our project’s major objectives are to:

1) Develop content for a Virtual Community Workshop on COVID-19 Health Equity for Racialized Families with Developmental Disabilities, with input of the project’s Advisory Committee and team members from across sectors;

2) Conduct the Virtual Community Workshop, with participation of racialized disability advocates, service providers, and racialized families with DDs, and receive input to inform KMb activities on inequities; and

3) Engage in knowledge translation and KMb for and with racialized families with DDs.

Funded by SSHRC Exchange- KMb Gran- York University (2022-2023)

Towards a nursing practice competency framework: Person-and-family-centred-care nursing care for persons with developmental disabilities

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khanlou

The objectives of the project are to:

1) review the current nursing standards on nursing care of people with DDs through a person-and-family-centred-care lens;

2) receive input from a Working Group (consisting of nursing education leaders, service providers and experts from the DDs field);

2) survey key stakeholders (young adults with developmentl disabilities, with assistance of their caregiver as needed);

3) develop a Nursing Practice Competency Framework to guide effective quality nursing care for persons with DDs; and

4) submit a research proposal for external funding for a pan-Canadian intervention study on nursing care for persons with DDs.

Funded by the Faculty of Health- Minor Research Grant (2021)

Arts-based participatory research approach: Potential for exploring Asian-Canadian youth identities through an intersectionality lens

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khanlou

Study: The goal of this project is to explore the potential of an arts-based participatory research approach in examining Asian- Canadian youth identities through an intersectionality lens. The specific objectives are:

  1. Assess the feasibility of individual level arts-based methods (Self-Portraits, Relational Maps) to examine Asian-Canadian youth identities through an intersectional lens
  2. Assess the feasibility of group level arts-based methods (script writing and performing Readers Theatre) as a participatory and youth centered knowledge transfer (KT) method
  3. Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the methods through application of Guiding Arts-Based Research Assessment (GABRA) meta-framework (Lafrenière & Cox, 2013)
  4. Refine the approaches as relevant and apply the new knowledge toward a future SSHRC Insight Grant that examines the identities of other immigrant youth and young descendants of immigrants in Canada’s urban settings

Funded by SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2019).

Gender based violence and refugee youth: A Trauma-informed approach to data gathering

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khanlou

The purpose of this project is to develop trauma informed, safety, sensitivity and disclosure focussed in-depth interview and focus group guide items for refugee youth exposed to GBV.

Funded by SSHRC – Explore Grant - York University.

Gender-Based Violence and Refugee Youth: Toward Trauma-Informed Practice

Team: Dr. Nazilla Khanlou and Dr. Yvonne Bohr (York University)

Study: The overall goals of the project are:

  1. To review the literature on recommended approaches and interventions for refugee youth who have been victimized by GBV
  2. To understand existing service gaps in access to health and social services, cultural safety, language, and community networks among Canadian refugee youth exposed to GBV.

Funded by LaMarsh Centre for Child & Youth Research, York University

An Arts-based Participatory Youth Engagement Knowledge Mobilization Project on Asian-Canadian Youth Identities

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khnalou (York University)

Study: The purpose of the KMb project is to utilize critical arts-based methodologies in exploration of Asian-Canadian youth identities and knowledge exchange with youth and stakeholders. The project’s major objectives are to:

  1. Bring together stakeholders, including Asian-Canadian youth, community partners and researchers, through an Advisory Committee
  2. Conduct two participatory workshops applying arts-based methodologies in exploring Asian-Canadian youth identities
  3. Engage youth in knowledge mobilization activities (youth will engage individually and in groups in two arts forms: visual and drama)
  4. Receive feedback from youth on these methodologies in relation to relevance in exploring youth identities
  5. Contribute to the literature on participatory and methodological outcomes of arts-based research
  6. Incorporate youth’s input into a research proposal to be submitted to SSHRC that will examine contemporary youth identities in Canada’s immigrant-receiving and metropolitan settings

Funded by SSHRC Exchange- KMb Grant, York University

Nursing care for persons with developmental disabilities

Principal Investigator: Dr. Nazilla Khnalou (York University)

Study: The overall goal of this project is to determine the state of knowledge in nursing practice in the Developmental Disability (DD) field. Its specific objectives are to:

  1. Review the literature on recommended nursing strategies for health promotion and health care of individuals with DD
  2. Identify existing gaps in nursing care interventions that can better promote the health of individuals living with DD
  3. Share the above findings with stakeholders (individuals living with DD, their caregivers, and nurses serving this population) and receive feedback
  4. Develop a nursing care framework
  5. Incorporate the findings into a research proposal to be submitted for external funding

Funded by: Faculty of Health, York University

Equity-based health promotion framework for racialized black mothers of children with developmental disabilities

Team

  • Dr. Nazilla Khanlou - Principal Investigator (York University)
  • Deborah Davidson (York University)
  • Helen Gateri (York University)
  • Gail Jones (NABORS – Neighbours Allied for Better Opportunities in Residential Support)
  • Masood Zangeneh (University of Guelph-Humber)

Study: This community-based project focuses on the health and wellbeing of racialized black mothers of children with developmental disabilities (DD).

Focus:

  • Experiences of racism faced by racialized mothers of children, youth, and emerging adults with DD;
  • The type of health promotion strategies mothers recognized as participatory, and with positive impacts on their health;
  • The type of health promotion strategies that mothers find to be inclusive and meaningful.

Participation

We will conduct interviews with mothers who have a child with developmental disabilities between the ages of 5-29 years old, and who identifies as a racialized black mother. A $30.00 dollars honorarium will be provided to mothers who participate in a 1.5 hours interview. View the Flyer for this project [PDF].

We will also conduct interviews with service providers with experience serving this population. No honorarium will be provided to service providers.

The study has been approved by York University’s Research Ethics Board.

Funded by: Women’s College Hospital.

The YADD Privacy Project: Improving Privacy for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities through Research and Innovative Knowledge Translation

Research Team

  • Nazilla Khanlou, PI (York University)
  • Anne Mantini (York University)
  • Katie Degendorfer
  • Ron Laroche (Community Living, Ontario)

Research Coordinator: Luz Maria Vazquez

The project looks at the issue of privacy rights and protection for young adults with developmental disabilities. We know that young adults with developmental disabilities (YADD) have complex developmental needs, and health and mental health specific needs, and often depend on secondary decision makers to protect their privacy rights. As a result, there is a need for innovative tools to help to protect the privacy of YADD and their families, and help community care providers who collect personal information to maintain privacy as per the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents (PIPEDA) Act.

Funded by: Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Digital Literacy, Access and Inclusion for Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Research Team

  • Nazilla Khanlou, Principal Investigator (York University)
  • Anne Mantini (York University)
  • Luz Maria Vazquez (York University)
  • Katie Degendorfer
  • Gail Jones (NABORS – Neighbours Allied for Better Opportunities in Residential Support)
  • Masood Zangeneh (University of Guelph-Humber)

Research Coordinator: Luz Maria Vazquez

  • This community-based project focuses on digital inclusion, inequity, and barriers and facilitators to access digital technology for young adults with developmental disabilities (DDs). It looked at:
  • What types of digital technology that young adults with DDs access and use
  • What types of digital technology facilitates young adults with DDs transition needs in regards to education, employment, community living, and community integration
  • The factors that facilitate digital technology inclusion and literacy for young adults with DDs
  • The barriers young adults with DDs face to digital technology inclusion and literacy

In this study the team collected data through in-depth interviews and focus-groups with young adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

Funded by: ECampus Ontario

Asian and Latino Canadian youth experiences of cultural identity: An intersectional exploration of contemporary immigrant and multicultural narratives

Research Team

  • Nazilla Khanlou, Principal Investigator (York University)
  • Anne Mantini (York University)
  • Luz Maria Vazquez (York University)
  • Attia Khan (York University)

Research Coordinator: Luz Maria Vazquez

Cultural identity is an important aspect of development and well-being for youth in multicultural societies. Contemporary exploration of youth identities is needed in light of recent changes in the sociopolitical landscape of Western immigrant receiving host countries. This pilot study will develop the relevant data gathering focus group and interview guide items to conduct a SSHRC supported study analyzing how these changes influence youth’s perceptions of their cultural identity; it will problematize the implications on Asian and Latino Canadian youth’s experiences of exclusion from their host society, inequitable access to opportunities and racism.

Funded by: SSHRC Research Opportunity Grant (York University)

Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities (YADD study)

Research Team

  • Nazilla Khanlou, Principal Investigator (York University)
  • Gail Jones (Kerry's Place Autism Services)
  • Dr. Karen Yoshida (University of Toronto)

Research Coordinator: Luz Maria Vazquez

This study focuses on the potential barriers and positive solutions for accessing social funding for young adults with developmental disabilities and their family caregivers (Canadian-born and immigrant). Research objectives include:

  • To understand young adults with developmental disabilities and their family caregivers’ awareness and perceptions of direct/flexible/self-directed social funding versus indirect or agency-based funding;
  • To explore the advantages and disadvantages in accessing direct or agency-based funding in terms of gender and migration status.

This is a community-based study that includes over a hundred interviews with:

  • Young adults with developmental disabilities between the ages 19 and 29 years; YADD Flyer 2015 [PDF]
  • Caregivers (mothers, fathers and other family caregivers or guardians - immigrants and Canadian-born)
  • Service providers YADD Flyer 2016 [PDF]

Funded by: Ministry of Community and Social Services (Developmental Services Research Grant).

Health promotion for immigrant mothers of children with developmental disabilities: What is relevant?

Research Team

  • Nazilla Khanlou (Principal Investigator)
  • Gail Jones (co-I, Kerry's Place Autism Services)
  • Louise Kinross (co-I, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitiation Hospital)
  • Karen Yoshida (co-I, University of Toronto)

Research Coordinator: Luz Maria Vazquez

The goal of this project is to examine what is relevant health promotion for immigrant mothers of children with developmental disabilities (DDs). The research question “What do immigrant mothers of children with DDs identify as relevant health promotion practices?” will be examined through a community-based study. Its objectives are to determine:

  • Types of health promotion strategies immigrant mothers of children with DDs participate in
  • Types of unmet health promotion needs
  • Mothers’ perceptions on the helpfulness of available health promotion supports
  • Challenges and enabling factors mothers experience in accessing health promotion supports and services

Funded by: The $15K Challenge Funding, Women’s College Hospital

Lending a hand to our future: Documenting, assessing and treating posttraumatic stress disorder in refugee children and youth

Research Team

  • Beiser M & Srinivasan V (PIs)
  • Goodwill A M, & Khanlou N (Co- Investigator)
  • McCay EA
  • McShane K
  • Monson C
  • Sgro MD
  • Siddiqi A

The project involves a partnership of researchers, decision makers, practitioners, immigrant service agencies and other community groups in Ontario that aims at producing and using evidence-based research to improve health care services to children and youth new to Canada. Among the project’s goals are:

  • The introduction of “mental health screening into school, youth shelter-based and community primary health care settings”
  • To implement “an innovative treatment, (Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), for traumatized youth and the child version, (KIDNET) for traumatized children”, and to evaluate their effectiveness, among others.

Funded by:

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI)

The role of gender and ethnicity in the well-being and integration of Iranian and Afghan older adult immigrant women in Canada

Research Team

  • Mahdieh Dastjerdi (PI)
  • Nazilla Khanlou (co-I)
  • Judith MacDonnell (co-I)

Community Collaborators: Afkham Mardukhi (Iranian Women's Organization of Ontario) and Adeena Niazi (Afghan Women’s Organization)

This narrative study will explore and understand the roles of gender and ethnicity in the well-being of Iranian and Afghan older adult immigrant women, and the impact of these factors on the women’s integration into mainstream society. Considering Canadian settlement patterns of Iranian and Afghan older adult immigrants and the feasibility of accessing this population, we will conduct this study in the greater Toronto area (GTA). We will recruit 30 participants through Iranian and Afghan community-based organizations in the GTA.

Funded by: Women’s College Hospital

Perceived stress and social support of Chinese immigrant mothers of children with developmental disabilities

Research Team

  • Chang Su (PI)
  • Nazilla Khanlou (co-PI)

This project examines the effects of perceived stress and social support among Chinese-Canadian immigrant mothers of children with developmental disabilities. It describes the stressors which impact their lives and the buffers that help mothers to access the needed services.

Funded by : The Lillian Wright postdoc scholarship

Health, Well-being and Parenting Experiences of Young Mothers Who Participate in the Women Moving Forward Program

Research Team

  • Beryl Pilkington (co-PI)
  • Nazilla Khanlou (co-PI)
  • Christine Kurtz-Landy (Co-I)

Community Collaborators: Wanda MacNevin and Heather Miller, Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre

This descriptive study will explore the experiences of young mothers who participate in the 'Women Moving Forward' (WMF) program. WMF is a program for young single mothers between the ages of 20-29 who reside in the Jane-Finch community. Started in 2005, the program is operated by the Jane-Finch Community and Family Centre. The study will focus in particular on how the program affects the participants' health and well-being, sense of agency, parenting, and the wellbeing of their children.

Funded by: York University Leave Fellowship Fund (Pilkington's sabbatical)

Social Support Of Immigrant Mothers of Children with Disabilities

Research Team

  • Nazilla Khanlou (PI)
  • Deborah Davidson (Co-I)
  • Mahdieh Dasterjerdi (Co-I)
  • Michaela Hynie (Co-I)
  • Jane Philpott (Co-I)
  • Marcia Rioux (Co-I)
  • Charmaine Williams (Co-I)

Research Personnel: Sheila Jennings and Alexis Buettgen

Community Collaborators:

  • Rabia Khedr
  • Nimo Bokore
  • Disability Rights Promotion International Canada
  • Tahira Gonsalves
  • Meenu Sikand

Knowledge Translation: Dr. Mavis Jones, Knowledge Translation Specialist,

Our literature review demonstrates that while mothering a child with disability entails great rewards, it also incurs significant stressors. There is insufficient research or policy focus applied to immigrant mothers in particular.This research applies an intersectional perspective and intersectoral approach towards gaining a better understanding of social support for immigrant mothers of children with disabilities.

Our goal is to gain in-depth information regarding facilitators and barriers to social support through interviews with both mothers and stakeholders from diverse sectors (such as health, education, social services). Our hope is that findings and our subsequent policy and programming recommendations will contribute to positive changes in the social support of mothers with children with disabilities.

Funded by: Faculty of Health, York University

The Newcomer Youth Mental Health Project

Research Team

  • Nazilla Khanlou (PI)
  • Yogendra Shakya (co-PI)
  • Carles Muntaner (co-Investigator)

The Newcomer Youth Mental Health Project focuses on newcomer youth (those who arrived in Canada within the last 5 years, and are between the ages of 14-18) from Afghan, Colombian, Sudanese, and Tamil communities. It looked at how youth understand and conceptualize mental health, and what their diverse mental health needs, help-seeking behaviours, and promotion strategies are, with a view to making program and policy recommendations that reduce barriers and improve access for mental health services for newcomer youth.

Funded by: The Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario).

Exploring the Link between Neighbourhood and Newcomer Immigrant Health

Research Team

  • Nasim Haque (PI)
  • Nazilla Khanlou (co-PI)
  • Brenda Roche (co-Investigator)
  • Stephanie Montesanti (Research Associate)

This qualitative research examined both the “place-based” characteristics of SJT and individual-level factors, including newcomer immigrants’ perceptions of the neighbourhood, their social relations, and their access to health and social services in the neighbourhood. This study was based on focus groups and individual interviews with three ethno-racial immigrant populations: Tamil, Filipino, and Chinese (Mandarin speaking). It compares their experiences with those of Canadian-born residents in the neighbourhood. The study also interviewed health and social service providers in SJT and the surrounding area. The results indicate that SJT newcomer immigrant residents experience a range of challenges relating to physical, mental, and social health and well-being. Health outcomes and well-being are the result of a complex web of causation where risks are related to individual behaviour, neighbourhood, access to social and health services, and social support. Responses and experiences were similar across the ethnic groups and non-immigrant residents in SJT.

Funded by: Wellesley Institute

Exploring How Immigrant Women Conceptualize Activism: Implications for Mental Health Promotion

Research Team

  • Judith MacDonnell (PI)
  • Notisha Massaquoi
  • Nimo Bokere
  • Wangari Tharao
  • Mahdieh Dastjerdi
  • Nazilla Khanlou (co-Investigator)

Community Partner: Women's Health in Women's Hands.

Immigrant women as a group often experience a disproportionate share of mental health concerns and mental illness, yet there is limited understanding of strategies to foster their mental health. This participatory policy study explores the relationship between immigrant women's activism and mental health promotion. This grounded theory study explores how immigrant women themselves express their agency and describe their political activism and the meanings it has for them in relation to the settlement process. The findings will inform relevant policy and program support which can facilitate meaningful life experiences and welcoming communities, foster social integration, and thus promote health and well-being.

Funded by: CERIS (2010) and Faculty of Health (2009), York University.

A Pilot Study to Customize the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM)

Research Team

  • Beryl Pilkington
  • Nancy Johnston
  • Nazilla Khanlou (co-Investigator)

The purpose of the pilot study is to customize Ungar's Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM) for use with youth residing in a Priorty Area as designated by the City of Toronto and the United Way. Participants will be 10 - 15 youth (males and females, aged 16 - 20) and 5-10 adults living in a designated Priority Neighbourhood, who volunteer to participate in a focus group (one each, for male and female youth, and one for adults) about what it means to be resilient. Participants will be recruited with the assistance of the York-TD Engagement Centre. Focus group data will be used to generate up to ten site specific questions to be used along with the CYRM in future research.

Funded by: Faculty of Health, York University.

Health and Social Service Utilization Among Childbearing Chinese New Immigrants in Canada

Research team

  • Tsorng-Yeh Lee (PI)
  • Christine Kurtz Landy (co-PI)
  • Olive Wahoush (co-PI)
  • Nazilla Khanlou (co-PI)

This study will explore how Chinese women who immigrated to Canada in the last 5 years access and use maternity care services and evaluate their perinatal health and birth outcomes. Culturally and linguistically appropriate health care is suggested by many researchers as a necessity for all immigrants in Canada. Language, culture and ethnicity are three major factors that influence immigrant women’s choice of health care provider and health management strategies in the host society (Wang, Rosenberg, & Lo, 2008). Relatively little research examines the access and use of maternity care services by immigrant women in Canada, especially Chinese immigrants-the largest recent immigrant population to migrate to Canada. Chinese practice special culture-based behaviors and eat a special diet during pregnancy and postpartum. The so called “doing the month” or “Zuo Yuezi” is one of those practices. Exploring these cultural practices and preferences will contribute to the body of knowledge related to immigrant women’s self care and health outcomes and will help inform culturally sensitive maternity care for Chinese women who live in Canada.

Funded by: Minor Research Grant & Junior Faculty Funds, Faculty of Health, York University