Children of Migrant Parents: Psycho-social Well-being in Age and Gender Context
Author : Nino Kitoshvili, Tatia Unnermark 29/06/2026
Parental labor migration in Georgia remains a significant psycho-social challenge with a substantial impact on adolescent development and well-being. This study examined the psycho-social well-being, resilience, self-esteem, and fear of negative evaluation among children of migrant parents within an age and gender context using a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected from 89 adolescents (aged 12–18, including 22 left-behind children), alongside qualitative expert interviews with 8 psychologists. Independent samples t-tests revealed no statistically significant differences between children of migrant and non-migrant parents regarding psycho-social well-being (p = .566), resilience (p = .750), or fear of negative evaluation (p = .693). However, children of migrant parents exhibited significantly lower self-esteem (p = .032). Qualitative findings highlighted the severe emotional vulnerability of left-behind adolescents and illuminated how maternal versus paternal migration alters emotional experiences. Theoretically, this study advances migration literature by identifying maternal presence as a crucial cultural "buffer" that helps preserve adolescent well-being amid paternal absence in Georgia. Empirically, it demonstrates that standardized well-being scales may overlook internalized distress, positioning self-esteem as the primary, sensitive indicator of structural family shifts. Practically, these findings offer an empirical foundation for school psychologists, regional care networks, and policymakers to design targeted, culturally sensitive psycho-social interventions that support remaining caregivers and protect left-behind youth.
Keywords: Parental migration, Adolescents, Risk factors, Protective factors, Georgia.
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.55367/ZDNK7060