Rachel Murro , Alison M. El Ayadi , Rutuja Patil , Dhiraj Agarwal , Sanjay Juvekar , Juliana Kim , Nadia G. Diamond-Smith
{"title":"Temporary childbirth migration and perinatal healthcare in rural Maharashtra, India","authors":"Rachel Murro , Alison M. El Ayadi , Rutuja Patil , Dhiraj Agarwal , Sanjay Juvekar , Juliana Kim , Nadia G. Diamond-Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Maternal health in rural India has improved due to national initiatives, but inadequate healthcare provision persists across most sociodemographic groups. The connection between perinatal care and the widespread practice of Temporary Childbirth Migration (TCM)—returning to one's natal home for delivery and the postpartum period—remains unexplored.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cross-sectional data on migration and health visits were collected from a sample of 1288 women in the Vadu Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) (Western Maharashtra) who gave birth in 2018–2022. Childbirth migration (exposure) was analyzed in three ways: binary (any migration), continuous (duration of stay), and multidimensional (duration of stay and change of provider). Outcomes included number of health visits – both facility check-ups and home visits by community health workers – and early antenatal care initiation. Multivariate poisson, negative binomial and logistic regressions were used. Sensitivity analyses checked for recall bias, the influence of migration distance, and model misspecification.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Migrators and non-migrators had similar outcomes in early antenatal care initiation, facility visits (before and after pregnancy), and prenatal community health worker visits. Migrators had fewer postnatal community health worker visits (IRR = 0.80; 95 % CI 0.70–0.92). Among migrators, longer natal village stays were associated with fewer community health worker visits in the prenatal period (IRR = 0.92; 95 % CI 0.88–0.96) but not postnatally (IRR = 1.03; 95 % CI 1.00–1.07). Women who switched to a new provider upon arriving in their natal village had fewer facility-based prenatal (IRR = 0.86; 95 % CI 0.78–0.96) but more postnatal visits (IRR = 1.41; 95 % CI 1.06–1.87), regardless of how long they stayed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>For women who return to their natal home for childbirth, duration of stay and changing providers upon arrival are linked to differences in receipt of maternal healthcare. Increased attention to the needs of mobile women during the perinatal period is necessary to ensure they can participate in key birth customs while receiving adequate healthcare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100322"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143792706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development and validation of a psychosocial adaptation scale for migrant women (PAS-MW)","authors":"Patricia Silva , Henrique Pereira","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100348","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to develop and validate a self-report scale to measure the psychosocial adaptation of migrant women, integrating dimensions of psychological and sociocultural adaptation. After a literature review and focus group with migrant women, the Psychosocial Adaptation Scale for Migrant Women (PAS-MW) with 22 items was developed. For the validation, we conducted (I) the evaluation of internal consistency, sensitivity, difficulty, and reliability of the items, (II) exploratory factor analysis, (III) analysis of construct validity (convergent, discriminant, comparison between known groups and correlations), and (IV) predictive criterion validity. Factor analysis identified two most significant factors, representing components of psychological adaptation (Factor 1) and sociocultural adaptation (Factor 2). The final scale showed great internal consistency (α = 0.87, ω = 0.875, KMO = 0.850, and Bartlett's significant). The construct and criterion validity were significant and consistent with the previous theory. The PAS-MW offers a specific instrument for assessing the psychosocial adaptation process of migrant women. Future studies could explore the application in diverse cultural contexts and compare its results between different groups of migrant women.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100348"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144737997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dominik Zenner , Renzo R. Guinto , Helena Legido-Quigley
{"title":"Connecting the dots: The triangle of migration, health and climate change","authors":"Dominik Zenner , Renzo R. Guinto , Helena Legido-Quigley","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100209","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100209","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100209"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144254387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The perceptions and reactions to COVID-19 among offspring of African immigrants and young adults who migrated to the U.S․","authors":"Titilayo A. Okoror , Abi Fapohunda , Kelechi Ibe-Lamberts , Daudet Ilunga Tshiswaka , Jade Oghoanina , Deanna Keenan , Mmekom Udosen , Yayra Akolly , Danita Hingston","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100360","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100360","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The influx of African immigrants and their offspring to United States has increased the heterogeneity of the Black communities. While COVID-19 has lay bare the disproportionate impact of the virus on Black communities, the perceptions and reactions of African immigrants’ offspring to the pandemic is yet to be explored. As part of an ongoing project on COVID-19 and African Immigrants and Refugees (AIR), interviews were conducted with participants that identified as African immigrant offspring and young adults who migrated to the US. Interview questions were guided by the Social Ecological Model, and data was analyzed using thematic analysis approach. Key findings highlight the prevalence of misinformation and key information sources, crystallized into four themes: (1) knowledge of COVID-19; (2) sources of information about COVID-19; (3) cultural self-identity and US healthcare system: and (4) spirituality, healing and COVID-19. Participants had adequate knowledge, and preventive measures about COVID-19, though earlier interviews among them during the early stage of the pandemic showed confusion about the nature of the virus. The value of family networks as sources of information and misinformation, especially through social media was salient in participants’ discussion, while the overload of news media was a source of concern leading to disengagement. Participants’ cultural self-identity served as lens in interpreting their interactions with the US healthcare system, while the value of spirituality and traditional remedies to healing were discussed as tools for coping with the pandemic. Efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccine should consider the multicultural values of this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100360"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145157592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ishika Obeegadoo , Mila Kingsbury , Kelly K. Anderson , Ian Colman
{"title":"Suicidality in first-generation, second-generation and non-immigrant youth in Canada","authors":"Ishika Obeegadoo , Mila Kingsbury , Kelly K. Anderson , Ian Colman","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100296","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100296","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The number of people migrating globally has drastically increased in the last two decades and continues to rise. Although adult migrants are typically in better health than the population they migrate to, the evidence regarding migrant children's health, and especially their mental health, is mixed.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To assess whether the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt differs between first- and second-generation immigrant youth, compared to non-immigrants, and whether other sociodemographic factors moderate any associations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed a subsample of youth aged 15–17 years from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth – a national, representative, cross-sectional survey. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis, with past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempt as outcomes and migrant status as exposure. We also investigated whether sociodemographic factors (including sex, family income, parental divorce) moderated these associations using interaction terms.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Second-generation immigrants had almost twice the risk of first-generation immigrants and non-immigrants of having attempted suicide (OR 1.68, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.63). The association between second-generation immigrant status and suicide attempt was stronger among those not from low-income households (OR 2.04, 95%CI: 1.30, 3.21) and those with divorced parents (OR 5.19, 95%CI: 1.41, 19.12). The association between second-generation immigrant status and suicidal ideation was stronger among males (OR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.07) and those with divorced parents (OR 4.13, 95%CI 1.40, 12.14). Additionally, some effects among first-generation immigrants varied by time since arrival.</div></div><div><h3>Relevance</h3><div>The healthy immigrant effect with respect to suicidality does not appear to pass from the first-generation to the second-generation. The magnitude of effect among second generation immigrant youth varies according to other sociodemographic factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100296"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11750514/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143025076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study","authors":"Bernard Attah-Otu , Nikita Jaiswal , Priya Gupta , Angan Sengupta","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Poor tribal communities migrate from rural to urban areas to tackle their financial hardships. However, limited empirical literature collectively delves into the implications of health and educational attainments of household members of migrant households, while examining the intricate dynamics of labour migration among tribal Indian communities in India.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to examine the effects of labour migration on household health and education for accompanied and left-behind children.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-two semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions (6–8 participants) were conducted in four tribal communities in India from August to November 2022 comprising 14 migrant households that recently returned from migration, three left behind adolescents of school age, three primary school head teachers and two Panchayat heads (community head). Data were analysed through an inductive thematic approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants identified a lack of adequate housing and sanitation conditions, with intense and long labour hours as conditions at migration destinations that affect their health. Lack of maternal and child healthcare is staggering at the place of work. In particular, our findings revealed that temporary labour migrants do not enrol their children in schools; however, the case was different from permanent and long-term migrants who enrol their children in private schools. At their place of origin, school teachers reported frequent school dropouts, low enrolment, attendance and poor academic achievements among children of migrating households. There is prominent gender dynamics in academic performances, and its determinants. Early age marriage and joining labour force dropping-out of school is common.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results highlight the negative effects of migration as a livelihood strategy on rural communities, particularly in the health and education of household members, asking for immediate government interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100289"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143163765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bridget Kiely , James Larkin , Kathryn Mullan , Maitiú ó Tuathail , Emma Coughlan , Debbie Marshall , Margaret Fitzgerald , Fiona O'Reilly
{"title":"Prevalence of psychological distress detected by the PROTECT and PHQ4 questionnaires and subsequent mental health diagnosis. A cross sectional analysis of the outcomes of new arrival health assessments for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland","authors":"Bridget Kiely , James Larkin , Kathryn Mullan , Maitiú ó Tuathail , Emma Coughlan , Debbie Marshall , Margaret Fitzgerald , Fiona O'Reilly","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100317","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100317","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The mental health needs of refugees and asylum seekers are often unmet. Many screening methods for mental health problems in refugees and asylum seekers have been suggested, but the optimal method for identifying those at risk has not been determined. The PROTECT questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ4) are two tools currently being used to identify refugees and asylum seekers at risk of mental health problems in Ireland, but there is limited data on the prevalence of positive scores or risk factors for these to inform health service planning.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cross sectional analysis was conducted of anonymous data of all adult asylum seekers or refugees who completed a PHQ4 and PROTECT questionnaire during their nurse conducted arrival health assessment within a one-year period. Data collected include: gender, age category, marital status, family unit, country of origin, refugee/asylum status, medical conditions, mental health conditions, exposure to violence, PROTECT score, PHQ4 score and outcome of GP mental health review. Statistical analysis was completed using R.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>440 people completed a PROTECT and PHQ4 questionnaire. 198 people had a GP review based on either a positive PROTECT or PHQ4 score. Among all participants, 9.1 % (<em>n</em> = 40) were diagnosed with depression, 15.0 % (<em>n</em> = 66) were diagnosed with PTSD, 3.8 % (<em>n</em> = 17) had an adjustment disorder and 3.7 % had anxiety.. There was a positive correlation between PHQ-4 score and PROTECT score, (rs = 0.738, <em>p</em> < .001) although the PROTECT score identified more cases of PTSD and depression. Being female (aOR: 2.47 95 % CI: 1.59–3.86) and country of origin Zimbabwe (aOR: 3.19 95 % CI: 1.56–6.53) was associated with a positive PROTECT score. Country of origin was negatively associated with PROTECT score for Syria (aOR: 0.32 95 % CI: 0.15–0.65). There were similar findings for PHQ4.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD were similar to other studies. There was a strong correlation between PHQ4 scores and PROTECT but with PROTECT ultimately identifying more cases of depression and PTSD, suggesting it may be reasonable to use it alone. Whichever screening tool is used, adequate healthcare resources need to be available for further assessment and treatment. Participants from Syria were less likely to have a positive score compared to others and further research is required to understand the reasons for this.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100317"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143609291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haley A Carroll , Talia Guevara , Valeria Aron , Luisa Feline Freier , Matthew D. Bird
{"title":"“Pa'lante!” Perseverance, progress and mental health among venezuelan migrants in Peru: A qualitative study","authors":"Haley A Carroll , Talia Guevara , Valeria Aron , Luisa Feline Freier , Matthew D. Bird","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100336","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Following Venezuela's economic collapse in 2015, over 1.5 million Venezuelans have sought refuge in Peru. Research indicates that migrants face stressors at various stages of migration (pre-, journey, and post-migration), with symptoms ranging from mild stress to severe depression and anxiety. This highlights the need for culturally relevant mental health interventions. Thus, the present study aimed to develop culturally sensitive adaptation hypotheses that resonate with the migrants' unique experiences and cultural values.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and findings</h3><div>Qualitative interviews were conducted with Venezuelan migrants residing in Lima (<em>n</em> = 25) and stakeholders in the Peruvian mental health system (<em>n</em> = 10). Thematic analysis, interpreted through the Ecological Validity Model, revealed significant themes relevant to cultural adaptation, including the metaphor and phrase “pa’lante,” religious coping, emotional expression, familiarity, and integration into Peru. These themes informed potential therapeutic adaptations in line with existing evidence-based therapeutic practices.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The study observed that Venezuelan migrants face unique mental health challenges due to the stressors encountered during migration. The findings suggest that integrating culturally sensitive elements such as “pa’lante,” religious coping, emotional expression, familiarity, and integration into Peru into mental health interventions could enhance their effectiveness. We propose therapeutic adaptations that leverage the resilience embodied in \"pa'lante,\" incorporate religious coping mechanisms, facilitate balanced emotional expression, and foster cultural familiarity and integration, ensuring a holistic and impactful approach to mental health care for Venezuelan migrants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100336"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elena Rousou , Paraskevi Apostolara , Venetia Sofia Velonaki , Irena Papadopoulos , Athena Kalokairinou , Ourania Sakellaraki , Victor Dudau , Andrea Kuckert , Runa Lazzarino , Manuela Mauceri , Alfonso Pezzella , Christiana Kouta , Theologia Tsitsi
{"title":"Lived experiences of migrant and refugee parents: Challenges encountered during their journey and settlement in Europe","authors":"Elena Rousou , Paraskevi Apostolara , Venetia Sofia Velonaki , Irena Papadopoulos , Athena Kalokairinou , Ourania Sakellaraki , Victor Dudau , Andrea Kuckert , Runa Lazzarino , Manuela Mauceri , Alfonso Pezzella , Christiana Kouta , Theologia Tsitsi","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100294","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100294","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parenting in the context of migration presents a unique set of challenges for refugee parents, who must navigate the cultural norms and expectations of both their home and resettlement countries while balancing their daily parenting responsibilities and practices. This study aims to provide a critical analysis of the experiences, needs, and challenges faced by migrant and refugee parents during their journey and settlement in Europe, as recounted through their personal narratives. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the researchers collected twenty-seven life narratives of migrant and/or refugee parents through purposive sampling. An analysis of the narratives identified four overarching themes that represent the primary challenges faced by refugee families and the need for support. These macro-themes include up rootedness, spatio-temporal uncertainty, trauma and abuses, and parental powerlessness. Parental powerlessness emerged as a synthesis of the causes of trauma from the previous three challenges and highlights the increased loss of parental identity and self-conflict that refugee parents experience. The study reveals that refugee parents face various challenges and barriers, such as language barriers, lack of information and awareness, and cultural differences. It is crucial for healthcare providers and policymakers to consider these findings and develop targeted interventions, such as utilizing interpreters, cultural mediators, and providing culturally sensitive and appropriate healthcare and educational services, as well as implementing specific policies to enhance the health and well-being of refugee parents and their children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100294"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11743891/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hailati Akezhuoli , Minghui Tan , Yuyin Ma , Xintian Liu , Jiayao Xu , Jingjing Lu , Xudong Zhou
{"title":"Migrant parent-child separation in the first three years of life and mental health problems at preschool age: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Hailati Akezhuoli , Minghui Tan , Yuyin Ma , Xintian Liu , Jiayao Xu , Jingjing Lu , Xudong Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100310","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100310","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Parent-child separation is one of the adverse childhood experiences, becoming more common due to economic migration worldwide today. However, there is a lack of understanding of the association between this separation during the critical first three years of life and the development of mental health issues in early childhood. This study aimed to determine the association of parent-child separation in the first three years and its specific patterns with mental health problems that emerged at preschool age.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a kindergarten-based parent-reported questionnaire survey in Nanling, Anhui Province, from October 30 to November 3, 2023. Data on parent-child separation in the first three years and its specific patterns concerning parental number, gender, accumulated separation period, and present separation status at preschool age were collected. The parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was adopted to assess outcomes of interest, including children's total difficulties, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and pro-social behaviors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 7487 children from eighty-one kindergartens were included, with a mean (SD) age of 4.2 (0.92) years, and 52.3 % were male. After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, compared to non-separation, parent-child separation within the first three years was significantly and positively associated with preschool-aged children's internalizing problems (β = 0.19, [95 % CI, 0.10-0.28]), externalizing problems (β = 0.24, [95 % CI, 0.12- 0.35]), and total difficulties (β = 0.42, [95 % CI, 0.25-0.59]), but not with pro-social behavior. The associations were significant when separated from either one parent or both parents, whether the separation lasted for less than or more than three years in total, and whether the separation occurred previously or persisted into preschool age.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings illustrated the association between early parent-child separation and developing mental health in early childhood, indicating potential opportunities for cost-efficient prevention and intervention for the health and development of vulnerable children separated in the highly mobile society to achieve sustainable development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34448,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Migration and Health","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100310"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143395060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}