Inflammatory burden in adolescents with prolonged parent-child separation

Parent–child separation occurs for many reasons, both involuntary and voluntary. We review the effects on children and youth of parent–child separation due to several of the most common reasons that are responsible for the growth in this family circumstance worldwide. These include early institutionalization; war, persecution, and conflict; separation during asylum; trafficking; conscription into armed conflict; and being left behind when parents migrate for economic or other reasons. Overall, the effects of parent–child separation are consistently negative on children's social-emotional development, well-being, and mental health. They are more severe when the separation is prolonged or accompanied by other forms of deprivation or victimization. Mitigating and protective factors include earlier stable family placement in the case of early institutionalization, parent–child communication and parenting quality, and community support in the host community. We conclude with an evaluation of group, school-based, and community-based interventions for children and youth affected by parent–child separation.

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Transnational parent–child separation and reunion during early childhood in Chinese migrant families: An Australian snapshot

Australian Journal of Child and Family Health Nursing ◽

10.33235/ajcfhn.16.1.16-23 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 16-23

Author(s):

Yat Man Louise Hui ◽

Julie Stevenson ◽

Gisselle Gallego

Keyword(s):

Child Care ◽

Family Health ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Family Values ◽

Patriarchal Family ◽

South Wales ◽

Chinese Parents ◽

Migrant Families ◽

Child Separation ◽

Parent Child

Limited international research exists on reasons for transnational child care, or developmental consequences of separations and reunions on young Chinese children. This descriptive study portrays a sample of children from Chinese migrant families residing in western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, whose parents temporarily relinquished their care to grandparents in China. Data were collected via retrospective health record audits. The majority of parents were first-time parents and the majority of children were first-borns sent back to China during infancy. The average duration of transnational parent–child separation was 20 months. Results showed that male child subjects who experienced multiple transnational separations and reunions were more vulnerable to problems associated with disrupted attachment. This study links parental decision for transnational child care and feelings of disempowerment in their parenting role with patriarchal family values and expectations, and their own adverse early experiences. This study may assist child and family health (CFH) professionals identify, understand and help Chinese parents who may be considering transnational child care to avoid or ameliorate adverse consequences, or alternatively, to support parents following reunion to establish or re-establish attachment relationships with their child, and parent well to optimise their child’s development. Study findings increase the evidence base on reasons for transnational child care, and the complex range of developmental and psychological problems children and parents in this study faced following reunion.

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Les Rites de Passage Lors de la Separation Parents-Enfant

Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health ◽

10.7870/cjcmh-1983-0017 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 83-90

Author(s):

Gaétane Lefebre ◽

Monique Morval

Keyword(s):

Clinical Study ◽

Family Member ◽

Case Studies ◽

Family System ◽

Rite Of Passage ◽

Marriage Ceremony ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

The Family ◽

Child Separation ◽

Parent Child

This exploratory clinical study examines the circumstances surrounding the departure of a family member at the time of marriage. An in-depth analysis of 10 case studies of parents suggests that marriage is an excellent rite of passage for the delineation of parent-child separation. Cohabitation fosters a progressive detachment but remains a period of transition. The choice of the rituals for the marriage ceremony provides an index of the fluctuations occurring in the family system.

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