Experiences of Venezuelan Migrant Parents in Cali, Colombia: Grounding Family Interventions in Lived Experiences

Background and Purpose: More than 3 million Venezuelan refugees and immigrants have permanently resettled in Colombia during the last decade. Cali, which is the third largest city in Colombia, hosts the fifth largest population of Venezuelan migrants. Venezuelan migrant families are often forced to resettle in highly deprived urban areas, which exacerbates food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and mental health symptoms in caregivers, children and youth. The scarcity of evidence-based interventions addressing mental health symptoms and promoting nurturing care within the Colombian context represents a significant barrier to supporting early childhood development and caregivers’ mental health among Venezuelan migrant families. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to identify the main experiences and perceived needs of Venezuelan migrant caregivers raising children and youth in Cali, Colombia, to inform the cultural adaptation and implementation of a Family Strengthening Intervention.

Methods: Three focus groups with Venezuelan migrant caregivers of minors were conducted in a centrally located setting in Cali, Colombia between September and October, 2024. Bilingual and bicultural researchers collected and analyzed the data. All data were collected and analyzed in Spanish to preserve the authenticity and nuance of participants’ experiences. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and Dedoose 10.0.25.

Results: A total of 29 Venezuelan caregivers, predominantly women (n = 28; 96.5%), participated in the focus groups. The average age of participants was 30 years. Through thematic analysis we identified the following five main themes: 1) Current parenting practices: Caregivers expressed using the establishment of daily routines, engagement in play-based interactions, and the use of physical discipline, 2) Promotion of core values: Caregivers emphasized core parenting values associated with raising children and youth in Colombia, such as respect for elders, emotional support among siblings, and the promotion of self-efficacy and independence, 3) Challenges associated from the disruption of family structures and support systems: Participants described interpersonal challenges, including limited trust in caregivers, 4) Insecurities raising children within a new cultural context: Caregivers expressed concerns about their children’s safety and well-being in a new cultural context, citing bullying, exposure to substance use, and overall community insecurity. 5) Structural barriers that exacerbate caregivers’ stress and well-being: Caregivers mentioned structural barriers such as xenophobia, lack of access to employment, and inadequate healthcare.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings emphasize the critical need for a comprehensive program that integrates mental health, community collaboration, and social support services for Venezuelan families in Cali. Venezuelan migrants in our study mentioned facing layered interpersonal, social, and structural challenges that affect their ability to provide nurturing care to their children. By grounding interventions in community voices, this work contributes to transformative change in how social services and mental health supports are delivered to migrant families in Colombia. Insights from this study, alongside the program’s expansion and outcomes, could help shape public policies that more effectively align early childhood development programs with the lived experiences of Venezuelan migrant caregivers.