Prolonged Separation and Reunification among Chinese Immigrant Children and Families: An Exploratory Study.

The present study explored the lived experiences of Chinese immigrant parents in New York City who went through prolonged separation and faced challenges after reunification in the United States. The study assessed their attitudes, perceptions, and reactions to the separation and reunification proce...

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Published in:Journal of Child & Family Studies Vol. 26; no. 9; pp. 2426 - 2438
Main Authors: Kwong, Kenny, Yu, Qing
Format: Article
Published: Springer Nature Sep2017
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        10.1007/s10826-017-0745-1
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        atl: Prolonged Separation and Reunification among Chinese Immigrant Children and Families: An Exploratory Study.
      aug:
        au:
          Kwong, Kenny
          Yu, Qing
        affil:
          Touro College Graduate School of Social Work , New York 10010 USA
          Teachers College , Columbia University , New York USA
      su:
        New York (N.Y.)
        China
        New York (State)
        Separation (Psychology)
        Immigrant children
        Family reunification
        Parent-child relationships & psychology
        Children
        Parent attitudes
        Psychology
        Immigrants
        Psychological adaptation
        Child care
        Child development
        Experience
        Family health
        Family services
        Parenting
        Well-being
        Chinese people
        Immigrant families
        Research
        Reunions
      sug:
        subj:
          Separation (Psychology)
          Immigrant children
          Family reunification
          Parent-child relationships & psychology
          Children
          Parent attitudes
          Psychology
          Immigrants
          Psychological adaptation
          Child care
          Child development
          Experience
          Family health
          Family services
          Parenting
          Well-being
          New York (N.Y.)
          China
          New York (State)
          Other Individual and Family Services
          Chinese people
          Immigrant families
          Research
          Reunions
      keyword:
        Childcare
        Chinese immigrants
        Separation
        Childcare
        Chinese immigrants
        Separation
      ab: The present study explored the lived experiences of Chinese immigrant parents in New York City who went through prolonged separation and faced challenges after reunification in the United States. The study assessed their attitudes, perceptions, and reactions to the separation and reunification process to gain better understanding of the ways prolonged separation and reunification impact on child development and family wellbeing. A phenomenological research approach was used to study qualitatively the narrative data from in-depth interviews. The analytical process was based on data immersion, coding, sorting codes into themes, and comparing the themes across interviews. The sample included 18 Chinese immigrant families who had sent their American-born children to China for rearing and reunited with their children within the past 5 years. Data analyses revealed specific themes that included reasons for separation, parenting methods, child's initial adjustment, behavior, and family relationship, child's social, emotional, and academic challenges, parental stress and challenges, and recommendations for services. This study contributed to our knowledge of prolonged separation, a common practice among a vulnerable, hard-to-reach immigrant population. It shed light on specific needs of Chinese immigrant families by examining closely the unique circumstances pertaining to prolonged separation, parenting practice, and related family challenges. An understanding of the approaches these families adopt to cope with life challenges may help inform practitioners in formulating service strategies for these families. Specific assessments in child-care, education, and health care settings are essential to prompt immediate follow-up and intervention when needed.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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