Emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBA
Abstract Background Children being left behind (LBC) in their home countries due to parental emigration is a global issue. Research shows that parents’ emigration negatively affects children’s mental health and well-being. Despite a high number of LBC, there is a dearth of data from Eastern European...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-024-00726-y |
| _version_ | 1797247483867299840 |
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| author | Justina Račaitė Khatia Antia Volker Winkler Sigita Lesinskienė Rita Sketerskienė Rūta Maceinaitė Ingrida Tracevskytė Elena Dambrauskaitė Genė Šurkienė |
| author_facet | Justina Račaitė Khatia Antia Volker Winkler Sigita Lesinskienė Rita Sketerskienė Rūta Maceinaitė Ingrida Tracevskytė Elena Dambrauskaitė Genė Šurkienė |
| author_sort | Justina Račaitė |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Children being left behind (LBC) in their home countries due to parental emigration is a global issue. Research shows that parents’ emigration negatively affects children’s mental health and well-being. Despite a high number of LBC, there is a dearth of data from Eastern European countries. The present study aims to collect and analyse self-reported data on LBC emotional and behavioural problems and compare children’s reports with those of parents/caregivers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 Lithuanian schools, involving parents/caregivers and their children aged 12 to 17. We employed self-reported measures, including the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) tools – Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL 6/18) and Youth Self Report (YSR 11/18), to evaluate the emotional and behavioural problems of the children. These instruments had been translated, standardised, and validated for the Lithuanian population. Data collection took place between January 2022 and April 2023. In addition to descriptive analysis, multivariate regression was used to adjust for various sociodemographic factors. Results A total of 760 parents/caregivers and 728 of their children participated in the study. LBC exhibited higher total problem scores (57.7; 95% CI 52.0-63.4) compared to non-LBC (47.1; 95% CI 44.7-49.4). These differences were consistent across all YSR 11/18 problem scales. However, no significant differences were observed in CBCL 6/18 scores. Furthermore, LBC self-reported a higher total problem score (57.7; 95% CI 52.0-63.4) compared to their parents/caregivers (24.9; 95% CI 18.9-30.9), and this pattern persisted across all scales. Being female, having school-related problems and having LBC status were associated with higher YSR 11/18 scores in the multivariable regression, while female gender, living in rural areas, school-related problems, and having hobbies were associated with higher CBCL 6/18 scores. Conclusion This study highlights that LBC report more emotional and behavioural challenges than their non-LBC peers, while parent/caregiver assessments show lower problem scores for LBC. Gender, living environment, school-related issues, and engagement in hobbies have influenced these outcomes. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of the experiences of LBC and the importance of considering various contextual factors in understanding and addressing their emotional and behavioural well-being. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:59:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-973ca2ca40ba449db0f2758e8d9d87b1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1753-2000 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:59:25Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-973ca2ca40ba449db0f2758e8d9d87b12024-03-24T12:10:38ZengBMCChild and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health1753-20002024-03-0118111210.1186/s13034-024-00726-yEmotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBAJustina Račaitė0Khatia Antia1Volker Winkler2Sigita Lesinskienė3Rita Sketerskienė4Rūta Maceinaitė5Ingrida Tracevskytė6Elena Dambrauskaitė7Genė Šurkienė8Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityHeidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University HospitalHeidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University HospitalClinic of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityInstitute of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius UniversityInstitute of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius UniversityDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityAbstract Background Children being left behind (LBC) in their home countries due to parental emigration is a global issue. Research shows that parents’ emigration negatively affects children’s mental health and well-being. Despite a high number of LBC, there is a dearth of data from Eastern European countries. The present study aims to collect and analyse self-reported data on LBC emotional and behavioural problems and compare children’s reports with those of parents/caregivers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 Lithuanian schools, involving parents/caregivers and their children aged 12 to 17. We employed self-reported measures, including the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) tools – Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL 6/18) and Youth Self Report (YSR 11/18), to evaluate the emotional and behavioural problems of the children. These instruments had been translated, standardised, and validated for the Lithuanian population. Data collection took place between January 2022 and April 2023. In addition to descriptive analysis, multivariate regression was used to adjust for various sociodemographic factors. Results A total of 760 parents/caregivers and 728 of their children participated in the study. LBC exhibited higher total problem scores (57.7; 95% CI 52.0-63.4) compared to non-LBC (47.1; 95% CI 44.7-49.4). These differences were consistent across all YSR 11/18 problem scales. However, no significant differences were observed in CBCL 6/18 scores. Furthermore, LBC self-reported a higher total problem score (57.7; 95% CI 52.0-63.4) compared to their parents/caregivers (24.9; 95% CI 18.9-30.9), and this pattern persisted across all scales. Being female, having school-related problems and having LBC status were associated with higher YSR 11/18 scores in the multivariable regression, while female gender, living in rural areas, school-related problems, and having hobbies were associated with higher CBCL 6/18 scores. Conclusion This study highlights that LBC report more emotional and behavioural challenges than their non-LBC peers, while parent/caregiver assessments show lower problem scores for LBC. Gender, living environment, school-related issues, and engagement in hobbies have influenced these outcomes. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of the experiences of LBC and the importance of considering various contextual factors in understanding and addressing their emotional and behavioural well-being.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-024-00726-yLeft behindChildrenParentsEmigrationASEBAMental health |
| spellingShingle | Justina Račaitė Khatia Antia Volker Winkler Sigita Lesinskienė Rita Sketerskienė Rūta Maceinaitė Ingrida Tracevskytė Elena Dambrauskaitė Genė Šurkienė Emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBA Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Left behind Children Parents Emigration ASEBA Mental health |
| title | Emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBA |
| title_full | Emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBA |
| title_fullStr | Emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBA |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBA |
| title_short | Emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in Lithuania: a comparative analysis of youth self-reports and parent/caregiver reports using ASEBA |
| title_sort | emotional and behavioural problems of left behind children in lithuania a comparative analysis of youth self reports and parent caregiver reports using aseba |
| topic | Left behind Children Parents Emigration ASEBA Mental health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-024-00726-y |
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