What is it about?
While migration’s economic impact has been widely studied, its psychological consequences on left-behind parents remain underexplored, particularly in Nepal. Existing research largely focuses on financial benefits, while neglecting the significant emotional and psychological burden experienced by aging parents. Additionally, there is limited understanding of how left-behind parents navigate emotional distress, where they seek support, and what coping mechanisms they employ. This study aims to bridge that gap by assessing the prevalence and key determinants of psychological distress among parents of emigrant children, while also exploring coping strategies they adopt. The findings will provide valuable insights to inform healthcare policies and social welfare programs aimed at improving the mental well-being of left-behind parents in Nepal.
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Why is it important?
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.
Perspectives
In a country like Nepal, where the economy heavily depends on remittances, the focus often remains on financial benefits, even as they seem to be diminishing due to capital flight. Meanwhile, the emotional cost is yet to be fully recognized or internalized. Through both quantitative analysis and in-depth interviews, we explored the emotional toll of migration on aging parents. Their experiences were marked by loneliness, worry, and a longing for connection, even as they expressed pride in their children's success abroad. We hope this study adds meaningful insight into the emotional cost of migration and inspires both policy and programmatic responses for the well-being of left-behind families.
Shishir Paudel
Pokhara University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Psychological distress among parents with emigrant offspring: A mixed-methods study from Changunarayan Municipality, Nepal, PLOS One, August 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329071.
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