A Three-Generation Study of Chinese Immigrant Extended Family Child Caregiving Experiences in the Preschool Years

Abstract

Chinese immigrant families often migrate to the U.S. with unique family characteristics including long separations between parents and children, as well as multigenerational family living. Research has shown that the intergenerational interactions within immigrant families are important for the psychological well-being of both parents and children, but has yet to document how grandparent and extended family member child rearing experiences may promote positive and/or negative well-being. This mixed-methods study aimed to understand such experiences in a low-income urban community. Results are discussed with respect to theory regarding how extended family childrearing dynamics impact both parent and child well-being.