Impact of the migration profile on quality of life of elderly parents of migrated children in Punjab

Introduction

Population ageing and migration are two major demographic processes that are reshaping family structures and intergenerational relationships in India. With increasing life expectancy and declining fertility, the proportion of older adults is rising rapidly According to the United Nations Population Fund 2023 [1] , nearly one-fifth of India's population will be aged 60 years and above by 2050. At the same time, increasing internal and international migration of young adults, particularly from Punjab, has resulted in many elderly parents being left behind, altering traditional family support systems. Migration can improve the economic wellbeing of elderly households through remittances, which help meet healthcare, food and other household expenses. Evidence from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India shows that financial support from children is an important determinant of the quality of life of older adults (International Institute for Population Sciences and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 2020) [2] Similarly, Mandal and Paul (2024) [3] reported that remittances from migrant children reduce the financial vulnerability of elderly parents. However, migration also reduces face-to-face interaction and may weaken emotional and social support, making regular communication and family connectedness important for the well-being of older adults Dakua et al 2023 [4] and International Institute for Population Sciences and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 2020 [2] . Although previous studies have examined the effects of migration on the health and well-being of left-behind elderly, limited attention has been given to the migration profile of adult children, communication patterns, remittances, migration-related debt, and support provided to elderly parents. Comparative evidence on empty-nest and semi-empty-nest elderly in high-migration states such as Punjab is also limited. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine the migration profile of adult children, assess living arrangements, parent-child interaction, remittances and support provided by migrated children, and analyse their association with the quality of life of empty-nest and semi-empty-nest elderly in Punjab.

Objectives

• To examine the migration profile of adult children of elderly parents in Punjab.

• To assess living arrangements, parent-child interaction, remittances and support provided by migrated children.

• To analyse the association between migration-related characteristics and the quality of life of empty-nest and semi empty-nest elderly

Materials and Methods

A descriptive and comparative research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in the three socio-cultural zones of Punjab (Doaba, Majha and Malwa), covering both rural and urban areas. The study population comprised elderly individuals aged 60 years and above having at least one migrated child residing either within India or abroad. A total of 240 respondents were selected using the snowball sampling technique. The sample was equally distributed across the three zones (80 respondents per zone), with equal representation from rural and urban areas, empty-nest and semi-empty-nest households, and respondents whose children had migrated within India and internationally. The selected districts were Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar (Doaba), Gurdaspur and Amritsar (Majha), and Moga and Ludhiana (Malwa). Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Information was obtained on the migration profile of adult children, including migration destination, occupation, migration-related expenses, remittances, communication, visits, and financial, emotional and social support provided to elderly parents. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument, covering the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Prior informed consent was obtained from all respondents, and confidentiality was maintained throughout the study. The collected data were coded and analysed using frequencies, percentages and the Chi-square test to examine the association between migration-related variables and the quality of life of elderly respondents. Family settlement (56.94%) was the leading reason for migration, followed by better lifestyle (20.33%), earning opportunities (15.55%) and higher studies (7.18%). Most migrated children (70.33%) were employed, whereas 16.75 per cent were homemakers and 7.90 per cent were students. Nearly half (49.28%) earned Rs 40,000-2,04,999 per month while 22.97 per cent earned Rs 2,05,000 -3,69,999. About one-fourth (24.40%) had no independent income, mainly because they were students or homemakers. Face-to-face interaction between elderly parents and migrated children was limited. About onethird of the migrated children (33.01%) had never returned to their parental home after migration, and 66.27 per cent of elde rly parents had never visited their migrated children. Overall, the findings indicate that migration among children of elderly parents in Punjab is predominantly international and driven by family settlement and employment, with limited physical interaction between parents and migrated children.

Results

Comparison of Migration Expenses and Remittances Received from Migrated Children between Empty-Nest and Semi Empty-Nest Elderly

Table compares migration expenses, remittances and their utilization between empty-nest and semi-empty-nest elderly households. More than three-fifths of the respondents (62.92%) had taken loans to finance their children's migration. The largest proportion (37.92%) incurred migration expenses ranging from Rs 10,60,000 to Rs 20,39,999, with higher expenditure reported among empty-nest households. Expenditure exceeding Rs 20,40,000 was also more common among empty-nest households (19.17%) than semi-empty-nest households (7.50%). Regarding repayment of migration-related debt, 42.92 per cent of respondents reported full repayment by their children, while 42.08 per cent reported partial repayment, with full repayment being more common among semi-empty-nest households (49.17%). Most respondents (84.17%) received remittances from their migrated children, with a higher proportion among semi-empty-nest households (92.50%) than empty-nest households (75.83%). Monthly remittances were the most common pattern (42.50%), whereas remittances sent on request were more frequently reported by empty-nest households (24.17%). Nearly two-thirds of the respondents (62.92%) received gifts from their migrated children. Remittances were mainly utilized for house construction and improvement (71.67%), repayment of debts (66.25%) and healthcare expenses (63.33%), while healthcare and education expenditure was reported more frequently among semi-emptynest households.

Discussion

The present study highlights the important role of adult children's migration in shaping the quality of life of elderly parents in Punjab. The predominance of international migration, particularly in the Doaba region, reflects the state's longestablished migration culture, while family settlement, better livelihood opportunities and improved living conditions emerged as the major drivers of migration. These findings are consistent with Pitoski et al (2021) [5] and Kaur et al (2021) [6] , who identified economic aspirations and improved living standards as key determinants of migration. Migration influenced both the living arrangements and support systems of elderly parents. Semi-empty-nest elderly were more likely to live with other family members, whereas empty-nest elderly showed greater dependence on caretakers. Despite physical separation, regular communication through audio and video calls remained common, indicating that digital communication has become an important means of maintaining intergenerational relationships. Similar findings have been reported by Murugan et al (2022) [7] , Kaur and Sinha (2023) [8] and Wang et al (2021) [9] , who found that frequent parent-child communication enhances social connectedness and psychological well-being among older adults. The study also demonstrates that migration has important economic implications for elderly households. Although migration often required substantial financial investment and borrowing, migrant children frequently supported repayment of migrationrelated expenses and provided regular remittances. In agreement with Sabharwal and Singh (2021) [10] and Mandal and Paul (2024) [3] , remittances contributed to household welfare by supporting housing improvement, debt repayment, healthcare and other household needs. The findings further indicate that semi-empty-nest elderly generally received greater financial and family support than empty-nest elderly, suggesting that the presence of non-migrant family members provides additional emotional and practical assistance. Furthermore, migration-related factors such as marital status of migrated children, frequency of communication, repayment of migration-related expenses, remittances and receipt of gifts were significantly associated with one or more domains of quality of life. Elderly parents receiving regular emotional and financial support reported better quality of life, supporting the findings of Dakua et al (2023) [4] , Lu et al (2023) [11] and Mandal and Paul (2024) [3] . Overall, the study demonstrates that migration has both beneficial and challenging consequences for elderly parents. While remittances strengthen household economic security, reduced face-to-face interaction may weaken traditional caregiving. The findings emphasise that sustained communication, continued financial support and strong family relationships are essential for improving the quality of life of elderly parents in migrant-sending regions of Punjab

Conclusion

The study concludes that migration of adult children has both positive and challenging implications for the quality of life of elderly parents in Punjab. While migration improves household economic security through remittances and other forms of financial support, it also reduces opportunities for direct caregiving and face-to-face interaction. Regular communication through digital technologies has emerged as an important means of maintaining intergenerational relationships despite geographical separation. Semi-empty-nest elderly generally received greater family and financial support than empty-nest elderly, highlighting the protective role of coresiding family members. Furthermore, migration-related factors, particularly communication, repayment of migrationrelated expenses, remittances and gifts from migrated children, were significantly associated with one or more domains of quality of life. The findings emphasize the need to strengthen family support systems and encourage sustained emotional and financial engagement between migrant children and their elderly parents to promote healthy and active ageing in highmigration regions such as Punjab.

References

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