PhD Candidate Smith College School for Social Work
Immigrant parents’ wellbeing is often affected by their experiences of separation and reunification with their children. The ability to “parent virtually” through technology—such as video calls—helps parents mitigate the distress of separation by staying connected, providing emotional support, and remaining involved in their children’s lives despite physical distance.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Identify the psychological effects of immigration-related family separation and reunification on Central American parents.
Explore the role of technology in supporting virtual parenting during periods of separation.
Define recommendations for social work interventions that incorporate technology to support immigrant families.
