When role reversal and brokering meet: Filial responsibility among young immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union.

Abstract

Traditional conceptualizations of role reversal and brokering (language and cultural in immigration), in which children assume culturally atypical adult responsibilities, have developed as different scholarly domains, despite their theoretical similarity. The purpose of the present article is to increase the integration between the two bodies of literature to achieve a better understanding of filial responsibilities children assume upon immigration and their differential correlates with adjustment. The structure of filial responsibility in immigration, interrelations between its distinct components, and the ability of the brokering roles to add significantly to the predicting of adjustment are studied. Young adult immigrants from the former Soviet Union to Israel (n = 220) completed the Comprehensive Filial Responsibilities Inventory (CFRI), the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the self-efficacy inventory. Factor analysis identified six CFRI domains with satisfying psychometric properties. The factors are dominance in family, cultural brokering, language brokering, emotional support to parents, self-reliance, and money issues. Hierarchical regression analyses showed a contribution of the brokering roles to prediction of psychological distress above and beyond traditional roles. The results support the validity of the CFRI and contribute to the understanding of interrelations among the various filial responsibilities, including brokering roles.

“This Is My Responsibility”: Parental Experience of Former Soviet Union Immigrant Parents in Israel

“…Some participants perceive language mediation as a positive factor strengthening the self-esteem of the child, while others perceive it as a negative factor that increases their feeling of helplessness and dependence on children. Language brokering has been considered a stressor and a burden for an immigrant child, but at the same time as a factor having a variety of cognitive, emotional, and social benefits (Ponizovsky et al, 2012). Some studies describe the advantage of language mediation in terms of high academic achievement (Acoach & Web, 2004), selfconfidence (Buriel, Perez, de Ment, Chavez, & Moran, 1998), cooperation with family members, and closeness to parents (Dorner, Orellana & Jiménez, 2008).…”

“…The greater adaptability of children and adolescents allows them to adjust to a new social environment, embrace new norms and values, and acquire the host language faster than their parents. As a result their role repertoire in the immigrant family is likely to expand (Mirsky & Prawer, 2003;Ponizovsky, Kurman, & Roer-Strier, 2012). At the same time, the feelings of loss and bereavement that often accompany immigrant parents' adjustment may impair their ability to meet their children's needs and lead to parent-child role confusion (Mann, 2004).…”

“…Ponizovsky et al (2012) and Kosner et al (2014) believe that role reversal in immigrant families is a distinct phenomenon, initiated by the need to deal with practical issues. As such, it may differ from role reversal caused by parental pathology or weakness and need not have an inherently negative impact on the immigrant family.…”

Characteristics of Childhood Parentification and Its Effects on the Individual

“…Çocuklar okul ve sosyal aktiviteler nedeniyle yeni kültüre daha hızlı uyum sağladıklarından, ailelerinde dil aracılığı (language brokering) ve kültür aracılığı (culture brokering) gibi roller üstlenebilirler. Kültür aracılığı, ebeveynin yeni kültüre uyumuna yardımcı olmayı içerirken, dil aracılığı çevirmenlik rolünü ifade etmektedir (Ponizovsky, Kurman ve Roer-Strier, 2012). Duygusal ebeveynleşme, ebeveynlerin yeni kültüre uyum sağlamakta zorlanmaları durumunda daha fazla ortaya çıkmaktadır (Titzmann, 2012).…”

Perspectives on Filial Responsibility Among Uprooted Families From South Lebanon

“…Nevertheless, in accordance with the perspectives on children's resilience, adopting parental roles is not always seen as problematic. Empirical studies have shown that immigrant children who assume filial responsibilities develop high levels of empathy and responsibility, and an increased sense of self‐worth and respect (Hinton, ; Ponizovsky, Kurman, & Roer‐Strier, ). Positive contributions to intergenerational relations have also been reported and include better relations with parents and closer ties within families (Dorner, Orellana, & Jiménez, ).…”