Mental Health Outcomes among Left-Behind Families in Ibadan, Nigeria
1
Community & Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, United States
2
Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
3
Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Migration of loved ones can be exciting, but it can severely affect the mental health of those left behind in their home country. Limited studies in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in Nigeria, have explored and compared the mental health status of those with and without families abroad. We assessed and compared the mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and comorbidity of both) of those with and without families abroad in Ibadan, Nigeria.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2025, and 1,278 participants with (n=728) and without (n=550) families abroad responded to questions related to anxiety and depression. We conducted descriptive analyses to compare mental health outcomes and inferential analyses to identify factors associated with these outcomes.
RESULTS:
The age range was 18-78 years. About 25% reported anxiety symptoms, but it was significantly higher among those with families abroad (40.2% vs 5%). Similarly, 29.8% reported depressive symptoms, but it was higher among those with families abroad (46%.7% vs 7.6%). Comorbidity of anxiety and depression symptoms was 21.9% in both groups, but higher in those with families abroad (35.8% vs 4%). Age interacted with family status, such that the older a person is, the greater the odds of anxiety and depressive symptoms if they have family abroad.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mental health issues were more common among those whose family members emigrated. Age interacts with family status, and older individuals face increased mental stress. Mental health interventions should target families of emigrants left behind in their home countries.
Migration of loved ones can be exciting, but it can severely affect the mental health of those left behind in their home country. Limited studies in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in Nigeria, have explored and compared the mental health status of those with and without families abroad. We assessed and compared the mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and comorbidity of both) of those with and without families abroad in Ibadan, Nigeria.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2025, and 1,278 participants with (n=728) and without (n=550) families abroad responded to questions related to anxiety and depression. We conducted descriptive analyses to compare mental health outcomes and inferential analyses to identify factors associated with these outcomes.
RESULTS:
The age range was 18-78 years. About 25% reported anxiety symptoms, but it was significantly higher among those with families abroad (40.2% vs 5%). Similarly, 29.8% reported depressive symptoms, but it was higher among those with families abroad (46%.7% vs 7.6%). Comorbidity of anxiety and depression symptoms was 21.9% in both groups, but higher in those with families abroad (35.8% vs 4%). Age interacted with family status, such that the older a person is, the greater the odds of anxiety and depressive symptoms if they have family abroad.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mental health issues were more common among those whose family members emigrated. Age interacts with family status, and older individuals face increased mental stress. Mental health interventions should target families of emigrants left behind in their home countries.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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