Lived Experiences: Immigration, Family Separation, and Resilience

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the psychological and familial impacts of immigration-related family separation on Latinx youth, focusing on attachment disruptions, identity formation, and acculturation challenges. The study included 10 Latinx college students (9 Female, 1 Male) enrolled at William Paterson University who experienced separation, either due to piecemeal migration or the deportation of a parent. Utilizing consensual qualitative research methods, six key domains emerged: (1.) family reorganization during separation;(2.) family reorganization upon reunification; (3.) ambiguous loss; (4.) culture, identity, and belonging; (5.) impact and perception of immigration policy; and (6.) informing intervention. Findings indicate that parental absence disrupts attachment bonds, leading to emotional fragmentation and ambivalence during reunification. Participants reported challenges in re-establishing trust and rebuilding familial relationships, underscoring the enduring burden of disrupted attachment security. Ambiguous loss was also pervasive, marked by the grief of cultural familiarities and absent kinship caregivers. Additionally, negotiating cultural identity revealed bicultural stress, as participants balanced their heritage with U.S. acculturation pressures. These results underscore the need for trauma-informed, culturally responsive interventions that address the complex interplay of attachment, identity, and cultural belonging.