When children are left behind: The perceptions of West Indian adolescents separated from their mothers during childhood due to migration, and the effects of this separation on their reunification.

摘要

This qualitative study describes the experiences of West Indian adolescents who have had prolonged separation from their mothers during childhood and are later reunited with their mothers in the United States. The mothers all immigrated to find employment when their children were young. Twelve adolescents (10 females and 2 males), and ten mothers received an initial interview and a second follow-up interview using an interview guide. Age at separation ranged from infant to eight years while age at reunion ranged from eight to eighteen years. The years of separation ranged from five and a half to eleven years. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for categories and themes.;The data was organized into the following categories: age and length of separation, childcare during separation, safety before and after reunion, father's involvement, extended family involvement and support, communication and relationships, abandonment issues, emotions, attachment, expectations for reunion and future plans.;The results of this study suggest that the adolescents' length of separation, their age at separation, age at reunion, experience during separation, and quality of childcare during separation, all affected their ability to adapt to life in the United States and on their long-term relationship with their mothers. The findings also highlight the importance of supportive extended family relationships to the survival of these children.