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

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Abstract

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.

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Author Contributions

K.K.: designed and executed the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper. Q.Y.: assisted with data analyses and collaborated in the writing and editing of the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Touro College Graduate School of Social Work, 27 West 23rd Street, Room 550, New York, NY, 10010, USA

    Kenny Kwong

  2. Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Qing Yu Yu

Authors
  1. Kenny Kwong
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  2. Qing Yu Yu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kenny Kwong.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Appendix 1

Appendix 1

Interview Guide

Assess the current parent–child communication and relationship other factors that may affect it.

  • How often do you speak to your child? How is your communication and relationship with your child?

  • Is there anything that you may not have thought about before the separation, but realize now about your child or your situation?

  • How is your financial situation now that you have reunited with your child?

Learn about transnational parenting and perceived benefits and consequences of separation

  • What were the rewards/benefits of having your children raised in China while you live in the U.S.?

  • What were the negative consequences of having your children raised in China while you live in the U.S.?

  • How did you communicate with your family back home during separation? What was your relationship like with the caregiver of your children back home? How did you handle disagreements with the caregiver?

Learn about the child’s physical and emotional adjustment since the reunification

  • How is the child’s ability to learn and adjust to living with you in a new environment?

  • How did your child react initially when she/he saw you and the family again after several years’ separation?

  • How is your child doing in terms of his/her educational, medical and behavioral conditions?

  • Have you noticed ways in which separation and reunification have affected your child’s behavior or mood?

Learn about the parent’s experience and his/her family’s physical and emotional adjustment since the reunification.

  • How did you and your family (including the child’s siblings, if applicable) react toward the reunion? How do you feel physically and emotionally now that you’ve reunified with your child?

  • What was it like for you to take on responsibility to care for your children after such long separation?

  • What are the impacts of separation and reunification, and how that affected your family in the past few years?

  • If you had the choice, would you repeat this decision with your other children? Why or why not?

Learn about resources, support, coping used by the family during separation and since the reunification.

  • How are you and your family coping with the child’s return and presence? What kinds of coping adjustments/changes have you made?

  • What concerns do you have now regarding your family?Do you need help to address those concerns?

  • Did you learn anything in the U.S. about parenting that influences how you parent your children?

  • What types of support, resources, and assistance you need most to help with your parenting?

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Kwong, K., Yu, Q.Y. Prolonged Separation and Reunification among Chinese Immigrant Children and Families: An Exploratory Study. J Child Fam Stud 26, 2426–2437 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0745-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0745-1

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