Family Experiences of Central American Refugees Who Overestimate Intergenerational Gaps

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The present study aimed to assess the role of perception in shaping family realities after immigration. Research participants included six Central American parent-adolescent dyads who perceived each other to be further apart in their acceptance of cultural change than indicated by their self-ratings of behavioural shifts towards Western norms. The parents and adolescents were interviewed individually about family relationships after migration. Three themes emerged from parents' interview responses: (1) the perceived erosion of familism, (2) parenting stress, and (3) taking back control. Adolescents’ interview responses revealed two themes: (1) family conflict and (2) attachment and dependency in family relationships. Implications for counselling are discussed.