“Psychosocial Health of Children 'Left Behind' by Migration: the Case of Moldova”

Increasing emigration and 'feminisation' of migration flows have raised concerns about the potential effects of migration on family life and children in particular. Previous research has investigated the links between migration and child emotional health ( Asis, 2006; Jones et al, 2004; Suárez-Orozco et al, 2011), but the limited number and cross-cultural applicability of available studies highlights the need to use a holistic, mixed-methods approach (Mazzucato & Schans 2011). This paper compares psychosocial well-being outcomes of children in two-parent homes to those in single- or no-parent homes due to parental migration. Data from 1,983 Moldovan households with children aged 0-18 will be analysed using probit regression analysis. Psychosocial health, the dependent variable, will be compared among children in two-, one-, and no-parent households by household migration type (current-, return-, or non-migrant). Further comparisons will be made by reason for parental absence (migration, divorce, death, etc.) in order to isolate the effects of parental migration. Covariates will include child/caregiver age and gender, household socio-economic status, and duration of parental absence. Results will be interpreted using information collected from 36 in-depth interviews conducted among children and their caregivers.