The Experiences of Minority Immigrant Families Receiving Child Welfare Services: Seeking to Understand how to Reduce Risk and Increase Protective Factors

Abstract

Wide recognition that families in the child welfare system experience multiple stressors has resulted in the development of a range of prevention and intervention strategies at individual, family, and policy levels.1 This article reports on a research study with minority immigrant families. The aim was to understand stressors they perceived as contributing to child welfare interventions, and services they found helpful or unhelpful. Using the conservation of resource (COR) theory, the findings highlight the erosion of resources that increases their vulnerability. Themes that emerged were: loneliness, betrayal, hopelessness, and financial and language struggles. Application of the COR theory combined with contextual insights from participant perspectives can guide policy and practice to focus on resource gain and prevent resource attrition.

Review of child maltreatment in immigrant and refugee families

“…16,17,22,26 Most parents reported experiencing difficulties because they did not speak the local language. 25,27,32,33 In terms of family structure, the majority of immigrant children involved with CPS lived in two-parent households (mostly with both biological parents), in which the parents were either married or living with a common-law partner. [14][15][16][17][18]22,31,32 Only six studies investigated the link between these characteristics and the likelihood of maltreatment occurring.…”

“…Immigrant families may also experience difficulties related to work conditions, such as professional deskilling or poor work conditions. 25 Finally, six studies reported that immigrant families involved with CPS had low to no social support, 25,31 but the link between social isolation and increased risk of maltreatment was not significant. [16][17][18]22 Protective Factors Specific to Immigrant or Refugee Families…”

“…17 Fear of the unknown, stress, loss of previously established support systems, 25,51 social isolation, 21,25 decrease in socio-economic status 52 and uncertainty about the future are often experienced by immigrant families and may put high pressure on the parents. Recently settled immigrants and refugees experience substantially more stressful life events and trauma than native families and longer settled immigrant families.…”

“…17 Public policies and laws can limit parents' access to economic and social benefits. 25 Public policies directly affect immigrant families' abilities to function. 16,17 Many…”

“…The motivation and hope they carry can constitute sources of resilience for the difficulties they may face during the migration and acculturation processes. [16][17][18]22,25 Researchers may want to combine quantitative data collection with qualitative methods that give voice to the usually unheard populations, as well as provide better information on the complexity of the power relationships between immigrant families and the diverse institutions involved in child maltreatment interventions.…”