Psichological and behavioral problems among left-behind adolescents. The case of Ecuador

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the impact of parental migration on psychological wellbeing of Left-Behind Adolescents (LBA) in Ecuador. Left-behind are adolescents who stay in their host country, while their parent(s) migrated. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 659 schoolchildren (43% girls, age 13.9}1.2) filled in the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ), advanced emotional questions and socio-demographic determinants. Statistics were used to compare the group of LBA and non-LBA (NLBA) and impacts of socio- demographic determinants within LBA’s. Results: LBA (46%) scored significant higher on the SDQ then NLBA, especially girls. Socio-demographic determinants were significantly associated with less psychological problems, for example talking about personal problems and migration after LBA aged 5. Conclusions: Parental migration has an impact on psychological wellbeing of LBA in Ecuador. Socio-de - mographic characteristics influence this impact. This article emphasizes an important and so far neglected public health problem in Ecuador. It underlines the need for policy development and profound research. Key words: adolescent psychology, Child abandoned, adolescent, migration/statistics & numerical data, socioeconomic factors, demographics, child welfare psychology, Adolescent Behavior/psychology, Ecuador.