What happens to the young people who stay behind? Psychological resources, depressive symptoms and family migration

Abstract

Depressive symptoms, psychological resources and family environment were compared in three groups of young adults with different migration patterns in their families: 1) direct relatives, 2) indirect relatives, and 3) non-migrant relatives. A crosssectional study was conducted with a non-random sample of 514 college students in the state of Michoacan, Mex. recognized by a high migratory tradition. Different scales were applied to assess their emotional, cognitive, social and family resources, as well as depressive symptoms (CES-D). Results. It can be stated that students with direct migrant relatives had higher depressive symptoms, lower self-control, more self-criticism, and more difficulty to seek help from their support networks, also they perceived less binding and support in their families compared to the other groups. This difference is statistically significant. Conclusions. Intervention programs targeted to young people with direct migrant relatives are needed in order to diminish their depressive symptomatology and to strengthen their individual, social and family resources.