International Journal for Equity in Health
Volume 17, Issue 1, 2018

Impact of parental migration on psychosocial well-being of children left behind: A qualitative study in rural China (Article) (Open Access)

Zhao C. , Wang F. , Zhou X. , Jiang M. , Hesketh T.*
  • a Nstitute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University, School of Medicine, 1 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • b Institute of Social Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310000, China
  • c Institute of Social Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310000, China
  • d Department of Public Policy and Law, Zhejiang Normal University, 668 Yingbin St, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321004, China
  • e Nstitute for Global Health, University College London, 30 Guilford St, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom, Centre for Global Health, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310000, China

Abstract

Background: Tens of millions of rural "left-behind children (LBC)" in China grow up experiencing prolonged separation from their migrant worker parents. This study aimed to explore how children are affected by parental migration, from the perspectives of children, parents, and grandparents, focusing on the experiences of prolonged parent-child separation and relationship dynamics in the extended family. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted in a migrant-sending rural area of eastern China. Participants included 25 children (aged 7 to 14), 17 parents, and 13 grandparents, from 30 families, as well as 24 key informants from the communities. Data analysis followed a grounded theory approach. Results: The results showed that despite the original purpose of benefiting children, parental migration resulted in challenges in child psychosocial well-being, due to the emotional impacts from prolonged parent-child separation. Parental absence also led to inadequate care and support for left-behind children. The negative effects of parental migration may be exacerbated by other vulnerabilities such as parents' divorce, poverty and grandparent caregivers' frailty. Concerns about child well-being made some migrants decide to return home permanently, because of the altered trade-offs of migration. Conclusion: Prolonged separation following migration often disrupts parent-child relationships and results in psychosocial difficulties in LBC, especially among those who live with multiple adversities in the family. Community-based interventions may help migrant parents and co-resident caregivers to better engage children and promote their resilience. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Migration Family structure parent-child relationship Attachment Left-behind children Family functioning Psychosocial well-being

Index Keywords

family structure Parents personal experience China rural area Caregivers divorced parent psychosocial well being trade-off human wellbeing statistics and numerical data rural population priority journal family size qualitative research Family Characteristics interview socioeconomic conditions migrant worker school child Humans psychology Adolescent Interviews as Topic male female parental migration qualitative analysis clinical article Parent-Child Relations child health Article migration family relation Transients and Migrants population migration caregiver parental care child parent relation Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85048634795&doi=10.1186%2fs12939-018-0795-z&partnerID=40&md5=90fd89b09990a9f0351a88cec56fe581
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-018-0795-z
ISSN: 14759276
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English