Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

Appiah-Kubi, Jamal

Abstract

In 2018, the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Policy led to the forced separation of children from their parents at the United States/Mexico border, raising concerns about the potential effects on children’s attachment relationships and mental health. Guided by ecological systems theory and attachment theory, the study will explore how separation shaped children’s attachment relationships and mental health outcomes, and what these experiences reveal about gaps within the child welfare system’s capacity to respond effectively. The two guiding research questions are: (1) How have the experiences of children separated under the 2018 Zero Tolerance Policy influenced their attachment relationships and mental health outcomes? and (2) What do these experiences reveal about gaps in the U.S. child welfare system’s ability to support separated children? Using a qualitative research design, data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 parents and/or children affected by the policy. Thematic analysis will be used to identify patterns related to trauma, attachment, and involvement in child welfare. By exploring children’s lived experiences in both family and institutional settings, this study seeks to reveal how immigration enforcement policies intersect with child welfare systems. Findings are expected to inform both policy reform and trauma-informed child welfare practices to better support vulnerable families.

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