Child Studies in Asia-Pacific Contexts

Korean Association of Child Studies (한국아동학회)
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"Getting Used to Each Other": Immigrant Youth's Family Reunification Experiences

  • Received : 2011.01.25
  • Accepted : 2011.07.05
  • Published : 2011.08.31
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Abstract

Many immigrant youth and their families undergo painful separations and complicated reunification experiences. Using data from the Longitudinal Immigrant Student Adaptation (LISA) study, a 5-year longitudinal, mixed-methods study of newcomer youth to the U.S., we examine the impact of lengthy family separations on youth's mental health and their perceived family conflict. Quantitative analyses demonstrate that longer separations positively predict higher psychological symptoms and family conflict, particularly for girls over a sustained period of time. Qualitative analyses of parent and child responses provide insights into the family reunification experiences.

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References

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