Rabia Mushtaq, Seema Gul, Muhammad Tahir Khalily.
A Comparative study of Maternal Psychosocial Problems and Academic Performance of Children Inmigrant and Non Migrant Families of AJK.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;6(3):29-34.

Background: Overseas migration of family head brings a change in roles of left behind family members. Left behind members including wives and children suffer at psychological, social, emotional and academic level in the absence of their husbands/fathers. Objectives: The present study aimed at measuring the maternal psychosocial problems and academic performance of children in migrant and non migrant families of Azad State of Jammu & Kashmir. Age wise difference in academic performance of left behind children was also measured by dividing them into two groups of younger age (6-12 years) and older age (12-18 years) children. Among left behind children gender differences on their academic performance were also measured. Method: Sample of 800 individuals including 400 mothers(n=400) and 400 children (n=400)was selected through purposive convenient sampling technique from two districts (Sudhnotti & Poonch) of Azad State of Jammu & Kashmir. Age range of children was from 6 to 18 years. Data of present study was collected from the mothers by using instruments, Psychosocial Problems Scale (PSPS) and demographic information sheet. Data was analyzed through SPSS 21 version. Test and Pearson Chi square analysis were used for measuring group differences. Results: Findings of the present study indicated that children in migrant families having mothers with more psychosocial problems showed less academic performance as compared to children in non migrant families having mothers with less psychosocial problems. Younger left behind children (age range from 6-12 years) showed good academic performance as compared to older children (12-18 years).Female left behind children over all showed good academic performance as compared to male left behind children. Conclusion: Study found high prevalence of psychosocial problems among left behind wives and resultant poor academic performance of their children. Keywords: Psychological problems, migration, academics

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