Effects of Early and Prolonged Parent-Child Separation: Understanding Mental Health among Separated-Reunited Chinese American Children

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goal of this K99/R00 proposal is to facilitate Dr. Shaobing Su's transition into the role of independent investigator focused on understanding how early and prolonged parent-child separation (i.e., separated at ages 0-6 for at least 6 months per year) shapes the mental health of separated-reunited children in the United States (US). This proposal builds on Dr. Su's strong foundation in quantitative and intervention research through a risk and resilience lens and her prior research on mental health and development of vulnerable children, especially children born to immigrants or migrants. Dr. Su seeks to expand her knowledge of the literature related to child development and parent-child separation as well as her repertoire of methodological skills, including cultural adaptation of theories, measures, and interventions for racial and ethnic minorities, qualitative and mixed- method research, Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approaches, and grant writing. This CBPR-based exploratory sequential mixed-methods research comprises 3 aims and 3 studies: Study 1 (Aim 1) will elucidate the mental health challenges that arise in Chinese American children with a history of early and prolonged parent-child separation; and identify potential processes that might influence mental health. Study 1 involves semi-structured interviews with Chinese separated-reunited children (N=48, aged 12-17) and their parents (N=48 primary caregiver parents). Study 2 (Aim 2) will examine mental health disparities and risks and resources between separated-reunited children and non-separated children; and explore the relationships among separation, risk, and protective factors at multiple levels, and affected children's mental health outcomes. Study 2 is a quantitative study among 200 Chinese American separated-reunited children and 200 non-separated children (aged 12-17). Study 3 (Aim 3) will identify focal areas and potential “active ingredients” to prioritize as components for development of a targeted intervention for affected children and families. Study 3 will use mixed-methods analyses to integrate qualitative (Study 1, Community Advisory Board recorded discussions) and quantitative findings (Study 2, Boston College seed grant) to seek convergence and divergence as the basis for a model of change and integrate it into existing family strengthening models for mental health interventions. The CBPR-based, mixed-methods research may deepen understanding of the impact of parent-child separation on child development and effects of multilevel risk and protective factors. Findings may inform intervention, policy, and practices for separated-reunited Chinese American children as well as other children affected by other forms of separation (e.g., children in institutional settings, children separated at the border). This award will support Dr. Su's transition to independent research in parent-child separation and mental health; and enable her to develop R01 proposals to adapt and evaluate family-strengthening interventions for affected children or to expand the research to other child cohorts with a longitudinal sequential design.