Mental Health Status and Risk Factors for Mental Health Problems in Left-behind Children of Women Migrant Workers in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Although it has always been postulated that most children of migrant mothers have psychological problems, no systematic assessment of this charge has been made. This study has the objective of comparing the mental health status of children of migrant mothers with children living with their mothers. The socio demographic and risk factors associated with the children of the former group is also looked into. Results demonstrated the validity of the postulate, when it was shown that the number of children with mental health problems were significantly higher in the study group than those in the control group.