Transnational migration in SE Asia and the health of children left behind. (360G-Wellcome-079946_B_06_Z)

This project will examine health and welfare outcomes, in four South-East Asian countries, for children under 12 years of age left behind when their father and/or mother became a transnational migrant. Primary cross-sectional data will be collected from both migrant and non-migrant households across sampled communities and will include anthropometric measurements, validated health measures (e.g SDQ) and well-being measures. Multivariate techniques (logistic or multinomial regression) will be used to build a series of models incorporating contextual and individual independent variables and designed to test five important hypotheses. In sum, these formalize expectations that the health and well-being of left-behind children is positively associated with father's absence, and (for physical health) with mother's absence under certain conditions, but (for mental health/well-being) negatively associated with mother's absence. Child age and gender and country/local community characteristics are expected to influence outcomes, once other independent variables are taken into account.Selected qualitative interviews will provide in-depth insight into issues raised and aid the interpretation of quantitative findings. Our key goals are to: 1) establish systematic associations between parental absence and child health/well-being; 2) provide a basis for future longitudinal analysis on an under-researched topic; 3) contribute to an evidence base for policy development.