Left Behind: How Parental Migration Impacts Children's Development and What We Can Do
"A deep dive into the psychological and behavioral effects on children when parents migrate for work, and actionable steps to support their well-being."
In today's globalized world, the pursuit of economic opportunities often leads parents to migrate, leaving millions of children either in their original homes or accompanying them to new environments. This phenomenon, particularly prevalent in rapidly developing countries like China, raises critical questions about the impact of parental migration on children's psychological and behavioral well-being.
A recent study published in the journal Child Indicators Research sheds light on this complex issue, examining the developmental outcomes of children left behind by one or both parents (left-behind children or LBC) and those who migrate with their parents (migrant children or MC) in rural China. The study highlights the unique challenges faced by both groups and offers valuable insights for creating supportive policies and interventions.
This article delves into the key findings of the study, exploring the specific difficulties encountered by left-behind and migrant children, and providing actionable recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers to mitigate the negative impacts of parental migration and foster the healthy development of all children.
Measuring Children on the Move
Available child-development data include family and child demographics as well as educational, social, economic, and physical well-being measures, according to the CDC's overview of Kids Count and U.S. Census data. UNICEF reports that nearly 34 million refugees and asylum seekers have been forcibly displaced from their countries, and half are children. The Migration Data Portal emphasizes that child-migrant data should be disaggregated by age, sex, and whether children are accompanied by a parent, guardian, sponsor, or no adult, because these details help identify vulnerability and protection needs. The International Data Alliance for Children on the Move is working to improve the quality and use of such data for evidence-based policymaking.
Child-Centered Assessment
A systematic review of migrant children's emotional and behavioral responses examined objectives including postmigratory protective factors, such as children's psychological resources and relationships with caregivers, peers, teachers, and parents. Research on age determination cautions that assigning an age does not eliminate the need to consider a young migrant's vulnerabilities and strengths when deciding placement and status. Child-centered approaches place migrant children at the center of research and seek a nuanced understanding of their lives beyond simple either-or categories. Together, these sources suggest that standardized classifications and broad outcome measures should be supplemented by attention to individual context and lived experience.
From Migration to Development
Research on children of immigrant families has framed development within the linked contexts of migration and settlement. The cultural-ecological model highlights acculturation, ethnic identity formation, and bilingualism as factors that child-health providers should consider. The field has also expanded toward a developmental perspective on immigrant children and adolescents, asking how migration shapes their transitions over time. Historical work using migration from Mexico to the United States illustrates how changing views of immigration and acculturation can shape children's developmental possibilities and family experiences.
Understanding the Impact: How Does Parental Migration Affect Children?
The study, using data from the National Children's Study of China, analyzed a sample of 18,396 children aged 7-15, categorized into four groups: children from non-migrant rural families (NMCRF), migrant children (MC), children left behind by one parent (OLBC), and children left behind by both parents (BLBC). The research focused on assessing differences in psychological and behavioral outcomes, including depression, school liking, and unhealthy behaviors.
- Increased Depression and Unhealthy Behaviors: Children left behind by both parents (BLBC) exhibited higher rates of depression and engagement in unhealthy behaviors compared to non-migrant children.
- Comparable Development for OLBC: Children left behind by one parent (OLBC) showed developmental outcomes similar to those of non-migrant children.
- Family Matters: Family factors played a crucial role in migrant children's development, with teacher support being particularly important for middle school students.
A Broadening Research Base
Recent work continues to examine how parental migration relates to child development and mental health, but the available evidence remains uneven. A 2023 scoping review of African migrant children's mental health found that most studies focused on refugee children, with less research on children of economic migrants, international students, and temporary workers. A 2024 narrative review surveyed qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and community-engaged research involving children in immigrant families over the preceding five years. These reviews point to a need for research that includes a wider range of migration categories and methods.
Risks Beyond Migration Alone
Migration does not produce a single, uniform developmental outcome; its effects depend on the mechanisms and conditions surrounding movement, settlement, and family life. The International Organization for Migration notes that migrants in vulnerable situations may be unable to effectively enjoy their human rights, increasing risks of violations and abuse. UNICEF reports that 48.7 million children were displaced by conflict and violence as of 2024 and states that immigration detention harms children's health and development. Literature on migrant early childhood identifies family-centered approaches, center-based services, and mental-health support for caregivers as promising interventions for cognitive and socio-emotional development.
Comparing Developmental Contexts
Comparative research has examined whether children from families with a migration background differ in social development according to their age of entry into external childcare and the duration of that experience. Another study compared the mental health of children of immigrant parents with that of children of non-immigrant parents. It also tested whether differences between the groups varied across four racial and ethnic groups. These designs show that comparisons are most informative when they account for timing, social context, and population differences rather than treating immigrant-origin children as one homogeneous group.
Turning Research into Action: Practical Steps for a Better Future
The insights from this study provide a roadmap for creating a more supportive environment for children affected by parental migration. By addressing the unique needs of left-behind and migrant children, we can help them overcome the challenges they face and reach their full potential. It's time to put these findings into action and build a brighter future for all children, regardless of their family's migration status.
Supporting Adaptation
The adaptation literature argues that policymakers should increase children of immigrants' access to mainstream institutions. One proposed strategy is accelerating English learning while providing migrant children and their families with information about educational programs and occupational opportunities. This perspective treats institutional knowledge and language access as practical supports for navigating settlement. It also implies that adaptation policy should address families, not children in isolation.
Better Evidence Ahead
Future research will likely need to distinguish more carefully among migration pathways, family arrangements, and developmental stages. It may also benefit from combining child-centered perspectives with stronger data systems and longer-term follow-up. Because existing evidence is uneven across migrant groups, conclusions should remain appropriately cautious until broader and more inclusive studies are available.
Layered Adversity
Children of immigrants may face multiple simultaneous adversities that extend beyond traditional adverse childhood experiences. The 2026 study specifically identifies systemic oppression and family separation caused by detention or deportation as additional forms of adversity. It describes these experiences as a public-health crisis requiring immediate attention, particularly because potentially traumatic events can occur during critical periods of development. This framing places parental migration within broader systems of policy, discrimination, and family separation.
Families, Stress, and Inclusion
Migration can reshape family relationships and produce psychosocial stress for children and other family members. A CALD child and adolescent mental-health case study, titled "The child who sees ghosts every night," describes how sociocultural factors and cumulative stressors associated with immigration can affect each member of a family. The MiCREATE project responds through a child-centered approach to the inclusion of diverse migrant children in educational and policy settings. At the same time, an IOM case-study module reports that international remittances rose from an estimated $128 billion in 2000 to around $831 billion in 2022, illustrating migration's broader capacity to support development.