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Sibling Relationships in Mixed-Status Immigrant Families: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis
Maryam Rafieifar1, Ana Marcial1, Mitra Naseh2
1School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA.
Family Process
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Legal status differences significantly impact sibling relationships in immigrant families, creating both challenges and resilience. Siblings navigate unequal responsibilities and provide crucial support, highlighting the need for inclusive family programs.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Immigration Studies
- Family Psychology
Background:
- Research on immigrant families often centers on parent-child dynamics, overlooking the crucial role of siblings.
- Mixed-status immigrant families, where siblings possess differing legal statuses, present unique relational challenges and opportunities.
- Unequal legal statuses among siblings can lead to disparities in opportunities and responsibilities, profoundly shaping family interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how legal status variations influence sibling comparisons, caregiving roles, emotional strain, and solidarity within mixed-status immigrant families.
- To synthesize existing qualitative research on sibling experiences in US-connected and transnational mixed-status immigrant families.
- To identify key themes and patterns in sibling relationships shaped by legal disparities.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis was employed, analyzing 13 studies on US-connected and transnational mixed-status immigrant families.
- Systematic database searches and citation searching were used to identify eligible qualitative or mixed-methods studies reporting on sibling experiences.
- Data analysis involved quotation-level coding, constant comparison, and the development of third-order constructs to identify overarching themes.
Main Results:
- Four major themes emerged: legal status awareness and sibling comparisons, emotional burden and relational strain, parentification and unequal responsibilities, and sibling solidarity, support, and adaptation.
- Sibling relationships in mixed-status families are significantly shaped by legal status, resulting in both relational strain and resilience.
- Siblings actively engage in documentation status socialization, caregiving, and advocacy within their families.
Conclusions:
- Sibling relationships in mixed-status immigrant families are complex, influenced by legal disparities that create both challenges and sources of strength.
- Interventions and support programs should recognize and include siblings, addressing the emotional strain and leveraging sibling solidarity.
- Clinical practice must acknowledge the impact of unequal mobility, power dynamics, and loss on siblings in mixed-status immigrant families.
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