Bhandari Anjani, Paudel Shishir, Chalise Anisha
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kathmandu Institute of Child Health, Hepali Heights, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal.
PLoS One. 2025 Aug 6;20(8):e0329071. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329071. eCollection 2025.
The growing trend of international migration has significant socio-emotional implications for families left behind, particularly the left-behind parents. While much research focuses on the well-being of migrants, limited studies explore the psychological distress experienced by left-behind parents. This study assesses the prevalence and determinants of psychological distress among parents with emigrant offspring in Changunarayan Municipality, Nepal.
A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted among 218 parents whose children had emigrated for at least six months. The quantitative phase involved a structured survey, where psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Pearson chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify associated factors at a 5% level of significance. The qualitative phase included 16 in-depth interviews to explore emotional experiences and coping strategies. Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's six-step framework, was used to identify key qualitative insights.
The prevalence of psychological distress was 18.8%, with 8.3% experiencing mild distress, 5.0% moderate distress, and 5.5% severe distress. Multivariable analysis revealed that parents with multiple morbidities (aOR: 4.032, 95% CI: 1.633-9.938), those whose children were employed in labor-intensive jobs (aOR: 9.215, 95% CI: 1.499-56.645), and those perceiving low support from emigrant children (aOR: 3.828, 95% CI: 1.178-12.442) had significantly higher odds of psychological distress. Qualitative findings highlighted loneliness, parental worries, and uncertainty regarding children's return as key concerns. Social support, regular communication, and engagement in community activities were identified as coping strategies.
A significant proportion of parents with emigrant children experience psychological distress, influenced by health conditions, migrant employment status, and perceived social support. Strengthening intergenerational communication, enhancing mental health services, and developing targeted support programs for left-behind parents are crucial in mitigating their distress.
国际移民的增长趋势对留守家庭，尤其是留守儿童的父母产生了重大的社会情感影响。虽然许多研究关注移民的福祉，但探索留守儿童父母所经历的心理困扰的研究有限。本研究评估了尼泊尔昌古纳拉扬市有移民子女的父母中心理困扰的患病率及其决定因素。
对218名子女移民至少六个月的父母进行了一项混合方法的横断面研究。定量阶段包括一项结构化调查，使用凯斯勒心理困扰量表（K10）评估心理困扰。进行了Pearson卡方检验和多变量逻辑回归，以确定在5%显著性水平下的相关因素。定性阶段包括16次深入访谈，以探索情感体验和应对策略。采用遵循布劳恩和克拉克六步框架的主题分析来确定关键的定性见解。
心理困扰的患病率为18.8%，其中8.3%经历轻度困扰，5.0%经历中度困扰，5.5%经历重度困扰。多变量分析显示，患有多种疾病的父母（调整后比值比：4.032，95%置信区间：1.633 - 9.938）、其子女从事劳动密集型工作的父母（调整后比值比：9.215，95%置信区间：1.499 - 56.645）以及那些认为从移民子女那里得到的支持较少的父母（调整后比值比：3.828，95%置信区间：1.178 - 12.442）出现心理困扰的几率显著更高。定性研究结果突出了孤独感、父母的担忧以及对子女归来的不确定性是关键问题。社会支持、定期沟通和参与社区活动被确定为应对策略。
很大一部分有移民子女的父母经历心理困扰，这受到健康状况、移民就业状况和感知到的社会支持的影响。加强代际沟通、改善心理健康服务以及为留守儿童父母制定有针对性的支持项目对于减轻他们的困扰至关重要。
