Date of Award
5-2022
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Dr. Rigaud Joseph
Abstract
Previous research has not thoroughly studied parentification in California. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring how is child parentification is perceived among Hispanic families in the High Desert region of California. Guided by the premises of Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory and utilizing a qualitative approach, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with six Hispanic Americans residing in California’s High Desert area (N = 6). Thematic analysis of the data generated six major themes: (1) children as a resource in the household, (2) parentification requires parental consent, (3) parentification depends on child’s age, (4) parentification is a learning experience, (5) parentification has limits, and (6) there are mixed perceptions on aspects of parentification. The implications of these findings for theory, research, and micro and macro social work practice are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Lopez, Kaylin, "Perception of Parentification: A Qualitative Study of Hispanic Families in Southern California" (2022). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 1512.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1512