Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Population ageing and labour migration are two interconnected social processes that are reshaping family structures and the wellbeing of older adults in Nepal. This Study examines the impact of children's migration on older people in Mayadevi Rural Municipality–06, Bethari, Rupandehi District, Nepal. Guided by Émile Durkheim’stheory of anomie, the study adopts a mixed methods research design to explore both quantitative patterns and lived experiences of elderly individuals with migrated children. The sample comprised 22 elderly people with migrated children and 22 with non-migrated children aged 60 years and above, selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation. The quantitative analysis focused on levels of vulnerability, social isolation, social support, and anomie. Qualitative data explored emotional experiences and caregiving challenges. Findings disclose that remittances contribute to fi nancial stability. It has impacts on elderly loneliness, reduced social interaction, limited caregiving support, and higher emotional insecurity. The quantitative fi ndings showed that elderly respondents with migrated children experienced higher levels of social isolation, vulnerability, and anomie than those with non-migrated children. Chi-square analysis revealed statistically signifi cant associations between children's migration and elderly vulnerability (χ² = 13.260, p = .001) and anomie (χ² = 8.149, p = .017), whereas social isolation (χ² = 3.400, p = .183) and social support (χ² = 2.578, p =.276) were not statistically signifi cant. The study concludes that although children's migration improves the fi nancial condition of elderly parents through remittances, it also increases vulnerability and anomie by weakening family interaction and social integration. Strengthening mutual communication and community-based supportsystems is essential for improving the wellbeing of older adults.
Source: Myagdi guru.
Author: Himal Baruwal
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7213975771