The effect of caregiver types on behavioral outcomes of children left behind due to parental migration in Southern Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

Though parents are migrating for the betterment of left-behind families and children, a
significant part of the story is overlooked. A quantitative, survey design was employed
to investigate the effect of caregiver types and behavioral outcomes of children left
behind. Data were gathered by using a strength and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ)
from 311 left-behind children whose parents migrated abroad and who were selected
from two weredas using stratified sampling method. The results of the study showed
that a significant mean difference was observed among the children left behind and
cared for by different caregivers (grandparents, mother only, father only, relatives,
non-relatives). A significant mean difference was also shown on both internalizing
and externalizing problems as measured by the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire
(SDQ) among children cared for by caregiver types. To conclude effects of caregiver
types on behavioral outcomes of children left behind due to parental migration were
observed in the study. Implications of the study focus, therefore, on ensuring the best
interest of the child by families, government, and non-government organizations that
have a stake in children affected by migration.