Date of Submission

2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Susan Panichelli Mindel, PhD

Second Advisor

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

Third Advisor

Barbara A. Prempheh, PsyD

Abstract

The number of immigrants migrating to the United States has increased over the past 30 years. Many of these immigrants leave behind their spouses and children, creating transnational families. Researchers have focused on the experiences of transnational families, but there is a need for continued research to further explore the psychological impact of separation and reunification. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible psychological impact of the separation and reunification process experienced by transnational families, and the coping strategies used during the process. This study used a qualitative design to explore the experiences of transnational families who experienced separation due to parental migration. The participants included four Hispanic adolescents between the ages of 14 and 20 years old, and their parents. A semi-structured interview was used to interview the participants about the parent-child relationship, their experiences, and methods of coping. A qualitative method of grounded theory was used to analyze the interview transcripts. The following themes emerged from the interviews with the adolescents: psychological impacts of separation on children, reunification process, using their support system, and coping. The following themes emerged from the interviews with the parents: reason for migration, communication attempts, parental perception of children’s reactions to parental migration and reunification, parental coping, parents’ reactions to reunification, and the parent-child relationship. A better understanding of this population’s experiences can guide clinicians toward improving client care and identifying best practices for this population.

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