Rooted in Resilience
With Researcher Jenalyn Ormita.
Studying the immigrant experience is close to Jenalyn Ormita’s heart. Her parents moved to Canada from the Philippines as young adults, meeting and marrying in Calgary. Their immigration stories help inform her research project on aging and cognition among immigrant women.
“I saw how they had to adapt to a new country with different social structures and what those experiences did to them cognitively. They’re so resilient in approaching and addressing challenges,” she told Mind Over Matter®.
Those challenges included a negative experience that her grandfather faced in dealing with the Canadian healthcare system.
“It plays into the roles of discrimination against ethnic minorities and people who aren’t as familiar with the system. The perceptions of other people can create some very real life consequences for how people get cared for in the healthcare system. It’s something that I wanted to keep in mind and carry with me,” said Ms. Ormita.
THE PHD STUDENT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO’S DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY BRINGS THOSE PERSPECTIVES TO A PROJECT AT THE EINSTEIN LAB THAT IS EXPLORING HOW IMMIGRANT WOMEN FROM THE HORN OF AFRICA EXPERIENCE AGING IN CANADA, BOTH IN MIND AND BODY.
To date, 14 participants between the ages of 50 and 80 have volunteered to take part in the study, with the researchers actively recruiting to expand the group. The women undergo a broad variety of explorations, including neuropsychological tests, MRI scans of their brain structures, analysis of hair samples to measure cortisol, and blood samples to look for signs of inflammation.
Ms. Ormita draws the most reward from the in-depth interviews she is conducting, which allow the participants to articulate their own stories and impressions about both immigration and aging.
“Oh, it’s such a joy. I genuinely love talking to these women. They are so open with their experiences. I’m very honoured to be hearing them, and I am taking it all in,” she said. “It’s a group that hasn’t been researched very much, and I’m happy that I could be a part of something that hopefully makes them feel heard and respected.”
The women have been through a lot. Many came from conflict zones; some have experienced female genital circumcision/mutilation/cutting (FGC), and all immigrated to a nation with profoundly different cultural norms. The results to date have found mixed feelings: gratitude to be in Canada, with a newfound sense of freedom, but also a sense of isolation and difficulty in making connections, unlike back home, where popping into a neighbour’s house is a natural thing.
They also spoke frankly about getting old.
“One of the first women I interviewed said, ‘Aging is a pain in the ass.’ She shared her worries about losing her memory and forgetting her loved ones. Others said aging is a part of life, and they’ve accepted it. They enjoy seeing their family grow, with grandchildren. We’re seeing a lot of resilience.”
Most are physically active, going to the gym and doing group yoga classes. Deep religious faith is a common characteristic. And of course, they are succeeding in making a good life in a new country.
In an increasingly diverse nation, Ms. Ormita hopes the study will offer guidance in health policies on how to support different cultural groups as they age.
The results may also offer insights on how these kinds of life experiences affect cognition. Do stress and trauma have an impact on dementia risk? Does speaking several languages act as a form of resilience for the brain in avoiding Alzheimer’s disease?
“There are many things that can expand our knowledge of aging and dementia,” said Ms. Ormita.
“Just having the courage to uproot your life, whether it’s seeking new opportunities or fleeing civil war, takes resilience. That’s one of the reasons why the Horn of Africa project that we’re working on at the Einstein Lab is so meaningful.”
Her interest in exploring immigration issues predates her time at the Einstein Lab. She worked at the Immigrant Education Society in Calgary, both as a researcher and in helping to design materials to help newcomers adapt to Canadian society.
“It’s close to my family’s background, but it also came from my innate curiosity, trying to understand why people do what they do.”
MS. ORMITA WAS DRAWN TO THE EINSTEIN LAB BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT FOSTERS COLLABORATION AMONG RESEARCHERS FROM A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES WHO COME TOGETHER UNDER THE UMBRELLA THEME OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, GENDER, AND HEALTH.
“It’s the lab’s holistic approach. It’s not only about the mind and body, but how it’s all connected to social structures,” said Ms. Ormita. “Dr. Einstein is very connected to the community, and seeing this research being conducted in such a respectful way is inspiring and admirable.”
Source: Mind Over Matter V21