Social support, well-being and involvement of fathers in transnational families in the Philippines

This study investigated left-behind Filipino fathers and their involvement as child caregivers. It hypothesized that social support and well-being predict paternal involvement, with well-being as the mediator. Results showed that familial and peer support predicted involvement, with well-being as mediator. Spousal support did not predict involvement or well-being. Findings highlight the importance of familial and peer support to left-behind fathers. Interactions between significant predictors of involvement present novel pathways to childcare. The non-significant role of spousal support is discussed in the context of transnational migration. Several interventions involving families and peers are suggested.

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Testing the effect of perceived social support on left-behind children’s mental well-being in mainland China: The mediation role of resilience

Children and Youth Services Review ◽

10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104695 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 109 ◽

pp. 104695 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Xiaoyan Fan ◽

Mengjia Lu

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Mainland China ◽

Well Being ◽

Left Behind ◽

Mental Well Being

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Impacts of international labor migration on the mental health and well-being of left-behind children

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.691 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

K Antia ◽

J Boucsein ◽

A Deckert ◽

P Dambach ◽

J Racaite ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Labor Migration ◽

Well Being ◽

Family Characteristics ◽

Transnational Families ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Left Behind ◽

Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Labor migration is a challenge for the globalised world due to its long-term effects such as the formation of transnational families with the particularly vulnerable groups of left-behind children (LBC). These families, where family members of migrant workers are 'left-behind' are becoming common practice in many developing countries. In this systematic literature review, we aimed to investigate the impacts of parental labor migration on the mental health and well-being of their LBC. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic literature search in English using PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar for studies, investigating mental health and well-being among LBC who live in transnational families. Case-reports, qualitative studies as well as opinion papers were excluded. We summarized the evidence and additionally compared quantitative results. Results 25 studies were selected for the final analysis. We found that mental health and well-being outcomes of LBC differ across regions and sometimes even within regions. Only studies conducted in South America and South Asia observed purely negative effects. Overall, LBC show abnormal SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) scores and report higher levels of depression and loneliness, than children who do not live in transnational families. Evidence suggests that gender of migrant parent, culture and other transnational family characteristics such as family arrangement, the role of the mother and the role of the father contribute to the well-being and psychological health of LBC. Conclusions International migration of parents has more negative than positive effects (e.g. through remittances) on the mental health and well-being of LBC. However, the effects strongly depend on family arrangements and care giving practices in migrants' sending countries. Key messages Further research utilizing longitudinal data is needed to better explore the complex and long-term effects of parental migration on LBC. Multidimensional family characteristics are crucial and should be better explored when examining the impacts of migratory separation on left-behind children.

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