ABSTRACT
Immigrant children cannot be considered in isolation. They are part of a family. Consequently, the development and experiences of today’s immigrant children cannot be understood apart from the family. Family structure, dynamics, parental mental health, and parental behavior have a direct impact on a child’s well-being (Board on Children and Families, 1995; Siantz, 1990b). There is a long history of research on the negative impact of difficult life circumstances on family life. For example, stressful conditions such as poverty, large families, crowded living conditions, and unemployment are related to hostile and rejecting maternal behaviors, maternal depression, and a poor prognosis for a child’s development (McLoyd & Wilson, 1991).
