ABSTRACT
Approximately 85% of the 200,000 Mexican and Central American youth that traveled to the U.S. between 2013 and 2018 have experienced long-term separation from a parent. Once they reunify with their parents in the U.S., youth often undergo significant attachment distress and behavioral disturbances. Yet, there are no interventions that target the quality of parent-child relationship during the reunification process. To address this gap, we carried out a formative study to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) with immigrant families that have been separated by migration and subsequently reunified. We made use of Wingwood and DiClemente’s ADAPT-ITT model for adapting MISC to this novel context. Adaptations steps included (a) evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of MISC within the context of a community organization serving recently reunified immigrant families, and (b) adapting MISC for immigrant mothers and youth experiencing reunification through use of semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Our formative work suggests that MISC is acceptable and feasible for delivery in this setting and, with further adaptation may offer a behavioral approach to re-establish relational patterns that may positively affect reunification. Given the rapid growth in Central American family separation due to migration over the last five years, MISC is well positioned to address a critical, high priority area of mental healthcare in the U.S.
