Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the re-adaptation experiences of families living in China after returning home, focusing on the parental roles of mothers of adolescent children. The study participants were three mothers from returning families who had adolescent children who lived in Shanghai, China for more than two years and had lived in Korea for less than three years. The research method used narrative inquiry, which is one of the qualitative research methods, to understand and explore the meaning of the study participants' experiences of residing in China and re-adaptation after returning home. As a result of this study, the study participants experienced the strengthening of family cohesion in overseas residence. After returning home, through the experience of educating their children, they felt the confusion and problematic awareness of Korean education, and thought about better education and the role of parents. They experienced personal growth in the process, and the strengthened family cohesion while living abroad became a positive resource for readjustment after returning home. This study will be able to broaden the understanding of returning families and provide basic data for developing women's counseling and family counseling services and educational programs.