Care across generations and borders: grandparental role and wellbeing in Sri Lankan migrant households.
Labor migration constitutes a critical component of Sri Lanka's economic framework, yet it necessitates complex family reorganizations in which older grandparents frequently assume primary child-rearing responsibilities. This study investigates the lived experiences of these caregivers within transnational households, evaluating the nature of their caregiving roles, the impact on their physical and mental wellbeing, and the availability of support networks.
Utilizing a cross-sectional design, primary data were collected from 166 grandparents aged 60 and above from all nine provinces of Sri Lanka, using a non-probability purposive sampling approach and a standardized face-to-face questionnaire combining closed- and open-ended items. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with open-ended responses examined through reflexive thematic analysis.
Caregivers often undertake the total substitution of parental duties, with care arrangements typically spanning 1 to 5 years. While a portion of respondents expressed emotional fulfillment and a sense of cultural duty, the study uncovers a prevalent burden of stress and physical deterioration. Nearly half of participants reported high to very high stress levels, compounded by a significant incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which disproportionately affect female caregivers. Over a quarter of caregivers reported receiving no assistance, relying entirely on their own resilience or limited informal networks.
Grandparental care appears to function as an important mechanism sustaining the flow of remittances and national economic stability, but it exerts a severe, often invisible toll on the older population. Recommendations emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions, including integrated geriatric healthcare, community-based psychosocial support, and targeted financial assistance to safeguard the wellbeing of these essential caregivers.
Utilizing a cross-sectional design, primary data were collected from 166 grandparents aged 60 and above from all nine provinces of Sri Lanka, using a non-probability purposive sampling approach and a standardized face-to-face questionnaire combining closed- and open-ended items. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with open-ended responses examined through reflexive thematic analysis.
Caregivers often undertake the total substitution of parental duties, with care arrangements typically spanning 1 to 5 years. While a portion of respondents expressed emotional fulfillment and a sense of cultural duty, the study uncovers a prevalent burden of stress and physical deterioration. Nearly half of participants reported high to very high stress levels, compounded by a significant incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which disproportionately affect female caregivers. Over a quarter of caregivers reported receiving no assistance, relying entirely on their own resilience or limited informal networks.
Grandparental care appears to function as an important mechanism sustaining the flow of remittances and national economic stability, but it exerts a severe, often invisible toll on the older population. Recommendations emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions, including integrated geriatric healthcare, community-based psychosocial support, and targeted financial assistance to safeguard the wellbeing of these essential caregivers.