Status of Migration of Parents as a Mediating Factor of Problem Solving and Other Psychological Problems

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of parental migration on the creative problem-solving abilities and psychological well-being of secondary school students in Malappuram District, Kerala. With Gulf migration being a prevalent socio-economic phenomenon in the region, the study aims to assess whether the absence of parents, particularly fathers working abroad, has a mediating influence on students' cognitive and emotional development. Utilizing a normative survey method, data were collected from 185 students using standardized tools for measuring problem-solving skills and psychological problems. Statistical analysis including t-tests, Pearson’s correlation, and Cohen’s d effect size was employed.

Findings revealed a significant difference in problem-solving abilities between students of migrant and non-migrant parents, with the former showing lower performance. However, psychological problems were found to be statistically similar in both groups. A weak but significant negative correlation was identified between problem-solving and psychological problems in the overall sample and among students of non-migrant parents. No significant correlation was found for students with migrant parents. The study attributes lower problem-solving skills among children of migrants to factors such as reduced parental involvement, authoritarian household dynamics, emotional neglect, and limited school-home linkage.

This research sheds light on a critical yet underexplored area and recommends family and school-based interventions, including parental awareness programs and teacher training, to support children in migrant households. The study underscores the need for inclusive policies that address the educational and psychological needs of this vulnerable group.