Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

JILL RATHUS PH.D.

Second Advisor

EVA FEINDLER, PH.D.

Third Advisor

JENNY SEHAM, PH.D

Abstract

Deportation policies from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have harmful effects on the mental health of immigrant families in the US. These effects can be experienced at multiple points such as living in fear of deportation, undergoing ICE raids, becoming detained, or being deported. The children that witness these experiences of deportation within their families are impacted substantially. Some of the psychological effects of having a parent deported or detained can include internalizing and externalizing problems, attention difficulties, emotional and behavioral changes, interpersonal conflict, and feeling like a burden. While the impacts of deportation on youth are highlighted in the research, there are no evidence-based treatments for this population specifically. Thus, this article poses that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an appropriate transdiagnostic treatment for these youth experiencing multiple problems when including frameworks such as Minority Stress Theory, the Biosocial Theory, and Radical Healing to address anti-immigrant invalidation faced by this population. As Latinxs make up a large percentage of immigrants that are deported, this article expands on their specific experience. This dissertation aims to review the literature on this population and create cultural adaptations to DBT for Latinx youth experiencing deportation stress (i.e., deportation or detainment of a parent or family member) through the expansion of Linehan’s (1993) Biosocial Theory to include four levels of anti-immigrant invalidation: structural, individual, anticipated, and internalized invalidation; additional DBT Orientation handouts for specific psychoeducation; potential strategies for teaching DBT skills; and recommendations for the application of DBT to address the numerous access-to-treatment barriers that Latinx youth face. Future directions for research on efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability are discussed.

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