Self-Reported Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Left-behind Children in Lithuania

AbstractThe migration makes an influence on children ’s mental health and behaviors. However, the majority of studies investigate the families and people in migration rather than left-behind groups in their home countries. OBJECTIVE: to assess the possible impact of parents’ migration on emotional and behavioral problems of their left-behind child ren. The study comprised 10–19-year-old adolescents from five urban secondary schools (n = 1292). The cross-sectional study was conducted in Kaunas city (Lithuania). Main measures were self-reported scales – Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) as well as items on subjective perceptions and feelings towards the change of relationship w ith a missing parent due to migration or divorce. Findings show that left-behind children report more risky behaviors and emotional problems, they tend more to feel unloved (OR = 2.34,p <  0.05), longing for missing parent (OR = 4.72, p <  0.05), contemplating suicide or self-injuring behavior (OR = 3.92, p <  0.05). Emotional and behavioral problems are more prevalent among 15–19-year-old male adolescents (OR = 1.71, p <  0.05). The left-behind children report more emotional and behavioral problems compared to the children from divorced families. The findings suggest that parental migration has specific negative effects on left-behind children’s emotional state and behaviors.
Source: Child Indicators Research - Category: Child Development Source Type: research