New Research by Professor Paris Shows How Trauma-Focused Therapy Supports Latin American Immigrant Families
Latin American immigrant families often endure trauma before, during, and after arriving in the U.S., from violence and dangerous migration journeys to discrimination and family separation. These experiences can deeply affect both mothers and their young children. A new study led by Professor Ruth Paris from BU School of Social Work (BUSSW), along with doctoral candidate Yibin Yang, former doctoral student and postdoctoral fellow Mihoko Maru, and community partner Karen Garber, offers encouraging evidence that a relationship-based therapy model can help families heal.
Published in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, the study examined the impact of Child–Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a trauma-informed intervention that helps young children and caregivers recover together. The program was offered in Spanish at a community agency, using bilingual, bicultural clinicians and a peer Family Support Partner who assisted families with practical needs like food, legal help, and housing support.
Positive Changes for Both Mothers and Children
Eighty-three Latin American immigrant mothers and their young children enrolled in the program; 55 completed assessments at the beginning and end of treatment. Researchers looked at changes in mothers’ mental health, parenting stress, migration-related grief, and children’s social–emotional development.
Mothers who completed CPP reported feeling less anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed. Many also felt more confident as parents and better able to understand their children’s emotions. Children showed improvements as well, becoming more independent and emotionally expressive.
Families also experienced a stronger sense of support and stability. With help from clinicians and peer support partners, mothers gained easier access to resources and felt less isolated. Notably, mothers who entered the program with the highest trauma symptoms made the biggest gains. This suggests that CPP can be especially impactful for those facing the most severe stress.
Why This Matters for Immigrant Families
The study highlights the value of providing trauma support in a family’s preferred language and through clinicians who understand their cultural background. It also shows the benefit of pairing therapy with practical, day-to-day assistance, which is an approach that helps reduce barriers to care and encourages families to stay engaged.
Looking Ahead
By focusing on culture, connection, and family, CPP supports immigrant families navigating trauma and helps mothers and children build stability and resilience. Since the study did not include a comparison group, the authors recommend additional research to confirm the findings, test CPP with larger samples, and explore how improving a mother’s wellbeing influences her child’s development over time.
This study was conducted in collaboration with the Greater Boston Jewish Family and Children’s Service.