The impact of parental migration on psychological well-being of children in Ghana

Raturi, Radhika; Cebotari, Victor

doi:10.1080/1369183x.2022.2076070

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 52 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Yet, research exploring the impact of parental migration on ECD outcomes among left-behind children in LMICs, and particularly in the context of Bangladesh, remains limited. Previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of parental migration on children's health, education, and psychological well-being, yielding mixed findings [1,[9][10][11][12][13]. Moreover, the few studies that have specifically explored the consequences of parental migration on ECD outcomes have encountered several limitations, such as small sample sizes and variations in the factors considered as confounders [3,10,13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of parental migration on children's health, education, and psychological well-being, yielding mixed findings [1,[9][10][11][12][13]. Moreover, the few studies that have specifically explored the consequences of parental migration on ECD outcomes have encountered several limitations, such as small sample sizes and variations in the factors considered as confounders [3,10,13,14]. Additionally, it is essential to consider the unique cultural and social context of each country, including Bangladesh, as findings from one country may not necessarily apply to others [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of parental migration on early childhood development of left-behind children in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative survey

Khanam,

Khan

2023

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background In Bangladesh, as in other low- and middle-income countries, parents frequently migrate to other areas, often for employment opportunities, leaving their children behind with the hope that their earnings will contribute to securing a better future for them. However, the absence of parents due to migration can have negative implications for the well-being of these left-behind children. Despite the existence of studies investigating this phenomenon, the evidence thus far has produced inconclusive findings, with no specific data available from Bangladesh. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of parental migration on the early childhood development of left-behind children in Bangladesh. Methods The present study utilized data from the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in 2019. A sample of 8,833 children aged 3–4 years was included in the analysis. The Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) and its individual domains served as the outcome variables of interest. The primary explanatory variables considered in the analysis were father migration, mother migration, migration of both parents, and migration of either parent. To assess the association between the outcomes and explanatory variables, multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed, controlling for relevant covariates. Results Approximately 29% of all children in the study were not developmentally on track, as measured by the ECDI. When examining the individual domains of the ECDI, only 9% of the total children demonstrated developmental progress in the learning domain. Regarding the association between parental migration and ECDI outcomes, we observed a 26% decrease in the likelihood of overall ECDI among children with a migrated father (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.54–0.93). This decrease became even more pronounced, reaching 37% (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48–0.97), among children with both parents migrated, compared to children with neither parent migrated. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that parental migration, especially when both parents are involved, has a substantial negative impact on the likelihood of achieving favourable ECDI outcomes for children in Bangladesh. To ensure the optimal development of children with migrating parents, it is crucial to strengthen early childhood development education programs and implement robust social safety nets. These efforts should specifically target the unique needs and challenges faced by children with migrated parents, providing them with the necessary support and resources for their holistic development.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of parental migration on early childhood development of left-behind children in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative survey

Khanam,

Khan

2023

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, research examining the effects of parental migration on ECD outcomes for left-behind children in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and specifically in Bangladesh is currently limited. Previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of parental migration on children's health, education, and psychological well-being, yielding mixed findings (3,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Moreover, the few studies that have specifically explored the consequences of parental migration on ECD outcomes have encountered several limitations, such as small sample sizes and variations in the factors considered as confounders (1,9,12,13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of parental migration on children's health, education, and psychological well-being, yielding mixed findings (3,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Moreover, the few studies that have specifically explored the consequences of parental migration on ECD outcomes have encountered several limitations, such as small sample sizes and variations in the factors considered as confounders (1,9,12,13). Additionally, it is essential to consider the unique cultural and social context of each country, including Bangladesh, as findings from one country may not necessarily apply to others (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Parental Migration on Early Childhood Development of Left-Behind Children in Bangladesh: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey

Khanam

Khan

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: In Bangladesh, as in other low- and middle-income countries, parents frequently migrate to other areas, often for employment opportunities, leaving their children behind with the hope that their earnings will contribute to securing a better future for them. However, the absence of parents due to migration can have negative implications for the well-being of these left-behind children. Despite the existence of studies investigating this phenomenon, the evidence thus far has produced inconclusive findings, with no specific data available from Bangladesh. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of parental migration on the early childhood development of left-behind children in Bangladesh. Methods: The present study utilized data from the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in 2019. A sample of 8833 children aged 36-48 months was included in the analysis. The Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) and its individual domains served as the outcome variables of interest. The primary explanatory variables considered in the analysis were father migration, mother migration, migration of both parents, and migration of either parent. To assess the association between the outcomes and explanatory variables, multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed, controlling for relevant covariates. This analytical approach accounted for the hierarchical structure of the data and allowed for adjustments at multiple levels to obtain more accurate estimates. Results: Approximately 29% of all children in the study were not developmentally on track, as measured by the ECDI. When examining the individual domains of the ECDI, only 9% of the total children demonstrated developmental progress in the learning domain. Regarding the association between parental migration and ECDI outcomes, we observed a 26% decrease in the likelihood of poor ECDI among children with a migrated father (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.54-0.93). This decrease became even more pronounced, reaching 37% (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48-0.97), among children with both parents migrated, compared to children with neither parent migrated. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that parental migration, especially when both parents are involved, has a substantial negative impact on the likelihood of achieving favourable ECDI outcomes for children in Bangladesh. To ensure the optimal development of children with migrating parents, it is crucial to strengthen early childhood development education programs and implement robust social safety nets. These efforts should specifically target the unique needs and challenges faced by children with migrated parents, providing them with the necessary support and resources for their holistic development.

show abstract

“…Fleeing brings with it the need to embrace a survival journey that involves abandoning one’s identity and self-worth, leaving one’s family and friends, subjecting oneself to dangerous, illegal crossings, and often needing to rely on unreliable human smugglers. Parental loss and family disruption adversely affect migrants for life ( Raturi & Cebotari, 2023 ). The inhumane conditions in which people seeking asylum are forced to live while awaiting international protection are disastrous for mental health.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Harbingers of hope: Scientists and the pursuit of world peace

Pandi-Perumal,

van de Put,

Maercker

et al. 2023

Clin. Psychol. Eur.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ongoing wars in many regions—such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas—as well as the effects of war on communities, social services, and mental health are covered in this special editorial. This article emphasizes the need for international efforts to promote peace, offer humanitarian aid, and address the mental health challenges faced by individuals and communities affected by war and violence.

show abstract

The impact of parental migration on psychological well-being of children in Ghana

Cited by 9 publications

References 52 publications

Effects of parental migration on early childhood development of left-behind children in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative survey

Effects of parental migration on early childhood development of left-behind children in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative survey

Effects of Parental Migration on Early Childhood Development of Left-Behind Children in Bangladesh: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey

Harbingers of hope: Scientists and the pursuit of world peace

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About