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Parental Migration and the Social and Mental Well-Being Challenges among Indonesian Left-Behind Children: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Nelsensius Klau Fauk

    (Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, 88 Wakefield St, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Alfonsa Liquory Seran

    (Atapupu Public Health Centre, Health Department of Belu District, Atambua Belu 85752, Indonesia)

  • Paul Aylward

    (Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, 88 Wakefield St, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Lillian Mwanri

    (Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, 88 Wakefield St, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Paul Russell Ward

    (Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, 88 Wakefield St, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

Abstract

Parental labour migration, of either one or both parents, has been associated with various challenges among left-behind children (LBC). However, there is a limited understanding of the LBC’s own views and experiences of social and mental well-being and how the new daily life circumstances they encounter following their parents’ migration impact them. This study aimed to understand the influence of parental migration and its aftermath on the social and mental well-being of adolescents (referred to as LBC) in two rural districts in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative design, data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with LBC ( n = 24) aged 14 to 18 years, recruited using the snowball sampling technique. Data were thematically analysed, guided by a qualitative data analysis framework. The findings showed that parental migration negatively impacted the social well-being of LBC. This impact was reflected in negative labelling from friends and changes in familial roles which influenced their social interactions and activities with peers. Parental migration was also associated with challenges to the mental well-being of LBC. These manifested in the LBC experiencing fractured emotional bonds, leading to negative emotions, including stress, anxiety, sadness, depression, frustration, loss of motivation, and self-imposed isolation, which were associated with their parents’ migration and abrupt disruptions in parent–child communication. The transition to new life situations with caregivers after parental migration and the dynamics within the caregivers’ households were additional factors that detrimentally affected their mental well-being. Unmet basic needs and educational needs due to financial hardships faced by mothers and caregivers further exacerbated mental health challenges for the children. The findings indicate the importance and improvement of policies and interventions in Indonesia (e.g., counselling services, non-cash food assistance, family hope program, direct cash assistance) that cover and address the diverse needs of mothers or caregivers and the LBC.

Suggested Citation

  • Nelsensius Klau Fauk & Alfonsa Liquory Seran & Paul Aylward & Lillian Mwanri & Paul Russell Ward, 2024. "Parental Migration and the Social and Mental Well-Being Challenges among Indonesian Left-Behind Children: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:793-:d:1417124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Minmin Jiang & Lu Li & Wei Xing Zhu & Therese Hesketh, 2020. "Community-Based Intervention to Improve the Well-Being of Children Left Behind by Migrant Parents in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Nelsensius Klau Fauk & Hailay Abrha Gesesew & Alfonsa Liquory Seran & Christopher Raymond & Roheena Tahir & Paul Russell Ward, 2022. "Barriers to Accessing HIV Care Services in Host Low and Middle Income Countries: Views and Experiences of Indonesian Male Ex-Migrant Workers Living with HIV," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, November.
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    5. Xiaoqing Zhang & Sharon A. Ray & Wei Hou & Xia Liu, 2021. "Environmental Risk Factors and Their Different Effects in Depressive Symptoms of Left-Behind Children in Rural China Compared with Non-Left-Behind Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-12, October.
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