Abstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria has taken a huge toll on the welfare of older adults, especially the ‘left behind’. Studies in Nigeria have discussed the issues of the COVID-19 pandemic but failed to consider the coping mechanisms adopted by older adults ‘left behind’ by their emigrant children during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study identifies the coping mechanisms developed by left-behind older parents during the COVID-19 pandemic in southeast Nigeria. The study also highlights the challenges experienced by these individuals. Qualitative data was collected from 58 older parents who were 60 years or older, and with international migrant children using in-depth interview and focus group discussion guides. Thematic analysis was then used to analyze the generated data. According to the study’s results, left-behind older parents adopted several strategies such as Information Communication Technology devices and new media, faith-based activities, and electronic games, to adapt to their experiences of emotional stress, physical health challenges, and financial challenges. To achieve the United Nations agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 2063 African Union Agenda, there is a need to strengthen systems, including family and the community that support Nigerian older adults. Also, the implementation of an ageing policy becomes imperative to ensure the protection of Nigerian older adults, especially the ‘left behind’, and to buffer further challenges during the pandemic.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The authors declared that no data set(s) and materials were available for the study.
References
Abel, G., McAuliffe, M., McCarthy, M., Weerasinghe, S., & Kitimbo, A. (2017). Migration and migrants: Regional dimensions and developments. In M. McAuliffe, & M. Ruhs (Eds.), World migration report 2018 (pp. 43–94). International Organisation for Migration [IOM], The UN Migration Agency.
Adeseye, A. (2020). Migrant remittance and household expenditure pattern in Nigeria. Open Journal of Political Science, 10, 73–98. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojps.2021.111006
Adhikari, R., Jampaklay, A., & Chamratrithirong, A. (2011). Impact of children’s migration on health and health care-seeking behavior of elderly left behind. BMC Public Health, 11, 143. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50265928_Impact_of_children%27s_migration_on_health_and_health_care-seeking_behavior_of_elderly_left_behind
African Union Commission (2015). Agenda 2063: The Africa we want : African Union Commission. Retrieved from https://www.au.int › documents › 33126-doc-01_background_note.
Ahlin, T. (2017). Only near is dear? Doing elderly care with everyday ICTs in Indian transnational families. Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 32(1), 85–102.
Ajibo, H. T., Chukwu, N. E., & Okoye, U. U. (2020). COVID-19, lockdown experiences and the role of social workers in cushioning the effect in Nigeria. Journal of Social Work in Developing Societies, 2(2), 6–13. https://journals.aphriapub.com/index.php/JSWDS/article/view/1141
Amadasun, S. (2020a). Social work and COVID-19 pandemic: An action call. SAGE Submissions Preprints. https://doi.org/10.31124/advance.12116418.v1
Amadasun, S. (2020b). COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: What lessons for social work education and practice? International Social Work. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0020872820949620
Amadasun, S., & Omorogiuwa, T. B. E. (2020). Coronavirus and social work: Blueprint to holistic intervention. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.31124/advance.12241226.v1
Antman, F. M. (2012). The impact of migration on family left behind. University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Economics Working Paper No. 10–15. University of Colorado: Boulder, CO, USA.
Ashfaq, A., Abbasi, S. U. R., Ali, R., & Habiba, U. (2016). Elderly parents and international migration of sons: Evidence from Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. JIMS, 10(1), 53–65. file:///C:/Users/user/AppData/Local/Temp/JIMS_Vol10_No1_2016_pp53_65_ASHFAQ-1.pdf
Ashfaq, A., Saud, M., & Ida, R. (2018). Impact of overseas migration of male children on the health of left behind parents: A study of selected cities of Pakistan & Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 165, 13–17.
Ayodeji, A. M. (2015). Protecting the rights of old people in Nigeria: Towards a legal reform. Journal of Law Policy and Globalization, 40, 131–143.
Bailey, A., Hallad, J., & James, K. S. (2018). They had to go’: Indian older adults’ experiences of rationalizing and compensating the absence of migrant children. Sustainability, 10(6), 1–15. https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v10y2018i6p1946-d151726.html
Baldassar, L. (2016). De-demonizing distance in mobile family lives: Co-presence, care circulation and polymedia as vibrant matter. Global Networks, 16, 145–163.
Brink, P. J., & Wood, M. J. (1998). Advanced designs in nursing research (2nd ed., p. 337). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Brooke, J., & Jackson, D. (2020). Older people and COVID-19: Isolation, risk and ageism. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(13–14), 2044–2046. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocn.15274#jocn15274-bib-0004
Brown, M. J., & Weissman, S. B. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on older adults living with HIV: HIV care and psychosocial effects. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(6–7), 602–606. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2020.1799281
Chen, L. K. (2020). Older adults and COVID-19 pandemic: Resilience matters. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 89,. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2020.104124
Chen, N., Zhou, M., Dong, X., Qu, J., Gong, F., Han, Y., & Zhang, L. (2020). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan China: A descriptive study. The Lancet, 395(10223), 507–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7
Cocuzzo, B., Wrench, A., & O’Malley, C. (2022). Effects of COVID-19 on older adults: Physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial problems seen and unseen. Cureus, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29493
Colaizzi, P. F. (1978). Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In R. Valle & M. King (Eds.), Existential phenomenological alternatives for psychology (pp. 48–71). Oxford University Press.
Creswell, J. H. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. Sage.
D'Cruz, M., & Banerjee, D. (2020). ‘An invisible human rights crisis’: The marginalization of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic – An advocacy review. Psychiatry Research, 292, 113369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113369
Dowling, M. (2006). Approaches to reflexivity in qualitative research. Nurse Researcher, 3(3), 7–21. https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2006.04.13.3.7.c5975
Ebimgbo, S. O., & Okoye, U. O. (2017). Perceived factors that predict the availability of social support when it is needed by older adults in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Social Sciences, 13(1), 10–18.
Ebimgbo, S. O., Atumah, O. N., & Okoye, U. O. (2018). Church-based organizations and their role in the support of older adults in Nnewi, South-east Nigeria. Etude de la Population Africaine/African. Population Studies, 32(2), 4203–4214. https://doi.org/10.11564/32-2-1193
Ebimgbo, S. O., Agwu, P. C., Chukwu, N. E., & Okoye, U. O. (2021). Appraising sufficiency of financial support for older adults in Anambra State. Nigeria. Ageing International, 46(2), 115–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-020-09379-6
Ebimgbo, S. O., & Okoye, U. O. (2022). Challenges of left behind older family members with international migrant children in south east Nigeria. Journal of Population Ageing, (Online). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-022-09402-5
Ebimgbo, S. O., Nnama-Okechukwu, C. U., Onalu, C. E., & Agha, A. A. (2022a). Perceived adequacy of material support systems available to the childless older adults in Nigeria: Implication for social workers. Ageing International. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-022-09514-5
Ebimgbo, S. O., Nwachukwu, T. S., Ugwu, C. I., Obioji, J. N., Idowu, B. O., & Okoye, U. O. (2022b). “They will only remember us during elections”: The culture of government support to Nigerian older adults and policy consequences. Journal of Aging & Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2022.2120322
Ebimgbo, S. O., Chukwu, N. E., & Okoye, U. O. (2022c). “They have better opportunities over there”: Rationalizing emigration of young family members by left-behind older family members in south-east Nigeria. Quarterly on Refugee Problems – AWR Bulletin, 61(1), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.57947/qrp.v61i1.27
Ebimgbo, S. O., Atama, C. S., Igboeli, E. E., Obi-keguna, C. N., & Odo, C. O. (2022d). Community versus family support in care-giving of older adults: Implications for social work practitioners in south-east Nigeria. Community, Works & Family, 25(2), 152–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2021.1926222
Egunyomi, D. A. (2012). The adults and aged: The Nigerian situation. In H. O. Osinowo, O. A. Moronkola, & D. A. Egunyomi (Eds.), The adults and aged in Nigeria: Issues and researches (pp. 1–16). Royal People Nig. Ltd.
Ekoh, P. C., Agbawodikeizu, P. U., Ejimkararonye, C., George, E. O., Ezulike, C. D., & Nnebe, I. (2020). COVID-19 in rural Nigeria: Diminishing social support for older people in Nigeria. Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 6, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721420986301
Eurostat. (2017). Asylum statistics. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_statistics
Evandrou, M., Falkingham, J., Qin, M., & Vlachantoni, A. (2017). Children’s migration and chronic illness among older parents ‘left behind’ in China. SSM - Population Health, 3(2017), 803–807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2017.10.002
Fajemilehin, B. R., & Odebiyi, A. I. (2011). Predictors of elderly persons’ quality of life and health practices in Nigeria. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 3(7), 245–252. Retrieved from http://www.academicjournals.org/IJSA
Falkingham, J., Qin, M., Vlachantoni, A., & Evandrou, M. (2017). Children’s migration and lifestyle-related chronic disease among older parents ‘left behind’ in India. SSM - Population Health 3(2017) 352–357. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29349228
Fanelli, D., & Piazza, F. (2020). Analysis and forecast of COVID-19 spreading in China, Italy and France. Chaos Solitons and Fractals, 134,. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2020.109761
Fergus, S., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2005). Adolescent resilience: A framework for understanding healthy development in the face of risk. Annual Review Public Health, 26, 399–419.
Ferreira, R. J., Buttell, F., & Cannon, C. (2020). COVID-19: Immediate predictors of individual resilience. Sustainability, 12(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166495
Finlay, J. M., Kler, J. S., O’Shea, B. Q., Eastman, M. R., Vinson, Y. R., & Kobayashi, L. C. (2021). Coping during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study of older adults across the United States. Frontiers of Public Health, 9,
Food and Agricultural Organization’s Statistical Division and Social Policies and Rural Institutions Division. (2017). Evidence on internal and international migration patterns in selected African countries. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7468e.pdf
Gadermann, A. C., Thomson, K. C., Richardson, C. G., Gagné, M., McAuliffe, C., Hirani, S., & Jenkins, E. (2021). Examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family mental health in Canada: Findings from a national cross-sectional study. British Medical Journal Open, 11,. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042871
Garmezy, N., & Masten, A. S. (1986). Stress, competence, and resilience: Common frontiers for therapist and psychopathologist. Behavior Therapy, 17(5), 500–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(86)80091-0
Gassmann, F., Berulava, G., & Tokmazishvili, M. (2013). Economic and social vulnerability in Georgia. United Nations Development Programme.
Gatto, M., Bertuzzo, E., Mari, L., Micoli, S., Carraro, L., Casagrandi, R., & Rinaldo, A. (2020). Spread and dynamics of the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy: Effects of emergency containment measures. PNAS, 117(19), 10484–10491. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2004978117
Gentles, S. J., Jack, S. M., Nicholas, D. B., & McKibbon, K. (2014). Critical approach to reflexivity in grounded theory. Qualitative Report, 19(44), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1109
Ghimire, S., Singh, D. D., Nath, D., Jeffers, E. M., & Kaphle, M. (2018). Adult children’s migration and well-being of left behind Nepalese elderly parents. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 8(3-4), 154–161. https://doi.org/10.2991/j.jegh.2018.07.004
Gopinath, G. (2020). The great lockdown: Worst economic downturn since the great depression. The International Monetary Fund. https://blogs.imf.org/2020/04/14/the-greatlockdown-worst-economic-downturn-since-the-great-depression/
Henderson, N., & Milstein, M. M. (1996). Management of organizational behavior: Utilizing human resources (5th ed.). Corwin Press.
Human Right Watch (2020). Nigeria: Protect Most Vulnerable in COVID-19 Response: Extended Lockdown Threatens Livelihoods of Millions.https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/14/nigeria-protect-most-vulnerable-covid-19-response#
Hunt, L. (2017). New Gambia, new migration? http://www.refworld.org/docid/58dd0fc04.html
Husain, M. J., Datta, B. K., Kostova, D., Joseph, K. T., Asma, S., Richter, P., Jaffe, M. G., & Kishore, S. P. (2020). Access to Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension medicines in developing countries: An analysis of essential medicine lists, price, availability, and affordability. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9,. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.119.015302
IMF (2020). Virus outbreak will slow global economic growth this year. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/imf-virus-outbreak-slow-global-economic-growth-year-200305013321840.html?
International Organization for Migration [IOM] & International Centre for Migration Policy Development [ICMPD] (2015). Survey on migration policies in West Africa. Geneva: International Organization for Migration.
International Centre for Migration Policy Development, ICMPD (2022). ICMPD Migration outlook 2022 West Africa: Five migration issues to look out for in 2022. https://www.icmpd.org/file/download/57218/file/ICMPD_Migration_Outlook_WestAfrica_2022.pdf
International Organization for Migration [IOM]. (2017). Enabling a better understanding of migration flows and its root causes from Nigeria towards Europe. https://dtm.iom.int/reports/enabling-better-understanding-migration-flows-and-its-root-causes-nigeria-towards-europe
Invisible Hands (2020). Invisible hands deliver. https://www.invisiblehandsdeliver.com
Inyikem, U. A. (2021). Statistics and demographic data of older persons in Nigeria. In Regional workshop on evidence-based ageing-related policies in sub-Saharan Africa. Abuja: Demographic and Social Statistics Dept. National Bureau of Statistics. https://www.un.org›2021/12›Agnes-UgbePDF
Isbell, T. & Ojewale, O. (2018). One in three Nigerians have considered emigration, most to find economic opportunity. Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 231. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328757562_One_in_three_Nigerians_have_considered_emigration_most_to_find_economic_opportunity
Isiugo-Abanihe, C., & International Organization for Migration [IOM] Nigeria. (2016). Migration in Nigeria: A country profile 2014. International Organization for Migration [IOM]. https://publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/mp_nigeria.pdf
Ivan, L., & Fernández-Ardèvol, M. (2017). Older people and the use of ICTs to communicate with children and grandchildren. Transnational Social Review, 7(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/21931674.2016.1277861
Johnson, J. (2002). In-depth interviewing. In J. F. Gubrium & J. A. Holstein (Eds.), Handbook of interview research: Context and method (pp. 103–119). Thousand Oaks CA: Sage.
Kassraie, A. (2020). Supermarkets offer special hours for older shoppers. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2020/coronavirus-supermarkets.html
Khanal, P., Ra, S., & Chalise, H. N. (2018). Children’s migration and its effect on elderly people: A study at old age homes in Kathmandu. America Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 1(1), 1001. http://www.remedypublications.com/american-journal-of-gerontology-and-geriatrics/articles/pdfs_folder/ajgg-v1-id1001.pdf
Kretchy, I. A., Owusu-Daaku, F. T., & Danquah, S. A. (2014). Mental health in Hypertension: Assessing symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress on anti-hypertensive medication adherence. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 8(25), 1–6. http://www.ijmhs.com/content/8/1/25
Lebrasseur, A., Fortin-Bédard, F., Lettre, J., Raymond, E., Bussières, E., Lapierre, N., Faieta, J., Vincent, C., Duchesne, L., Ouellet, M., Gagnon, E., Tourigny, A., Lamontagne, M., & Routhier, F. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults: Rapid review. JMIR Aging, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/26474
Li, Y., & Mutchler, J. E. (2020). Older adults and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 32(4–5), 477–487. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2020.1773191
Markotegi, M., Irazusta, J., Sanz, B., & Rodriguez-Larrad, A. (2021). Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and psychoaffective health of older adults in a physical exercise program. Experimental Gerontology, 155,. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111580
McAuliffe, M., & Kitimbo, A. (2018). African migration: What the numbers really tell us. World Economic Forum.https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/06/heres-the-truth-about-african-migration/
Migration outlook. (2022). West Africa: Five migration issues to look out for in 2022. https://www.icmpd.org/file/download/57218/file/ICMPD_Migration_Outlook_WestAfrica_2022.pdf
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, &, & Jenrick, R. (2020). Communities Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 18 April 2020. Gov.uk.https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/communities-secretary-robert-jenrick-on-covid-19-response-18-april-2020
Monahan, C., Macdonald, J., Lytle, A., Apriceno, M., & Levy, S. R. (2020). COVID-19 and ageism: How positive and negative responses impact older adults and society. American Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000699. Advance online publication
National Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Immigration statistics-2017. http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng›pdfuploads›Im...
Nwosu, I. A., Eteng, M. J., Ekpechu, J., Nnam, M. U., Ukah, J. A., Eyisi, E., & Orakwe, E. C. (2022). Poverty and youth migration out of Nigeria: Enthronement of modern slavery. SAGE Open, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221079818
Obiebi, I. P., & Aiwuyo, H. O. (2021). Cost-effectiveness of drug-management of Hypertension among patients in selected secondary facilities in Nigeria: Empirical evidence for rational prescription choices. Revista Colombiana De Cardiologia, 28(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.24875/RCCAR.M21000008
Offiong, A. V. (2020). COVID-19: When a governor believes it’s a hoax and ordinary flu. Africa in Fact, C-19, COVID, Leadership Styly News.https://gga.org/covid-19-when-a-governor-believes-its-a-hoax-and-ordinary-flu/
Olagundoye, O., Enema, O., & Adebowale, A. (2020). Recommendations for a national Coronavirus disease 2019 response guideline for the care of older persons in Nigeria during and post-pandemic: A family physician’s perspective. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 12(1), a2512. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2512
Ojike, N., Sowers, J. R., Seixas, A., Ravenell, J., Rodriguez-Figueroa, G., Awadallah, M., & McFarlane, S. I. (2016). Psychological distress and hypertension: Results from the national health interview survey for 2004–2013. Cardiorenal Medicine, 6, 198–208. https://doi.org/10.1159/000443933
Okoye, U. O. (2012). Family care-giving for ageing parents in Nigeria: Gender differences, cultural imperatives and the role of education. International Journal of Education and Ageing, 2(2), 139–154.
Omorogiuwa, T. B. E. (2020). COVID-19 and older adults in Africa: Social workers’ utilization of mass media in enforcing policy change. International Social Work, 63(5), 646–650. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872820941748
Onalu, C. E., Atama, C. S., Ebimgbo, S. O., Nwachukwu, S. T., Idowu, B. O., & Nwafor, N. F. (2022). It is a hoax: Attitude of south-eastern Nigerian toward COVID-19 and vaccine: The need for social workers. Social Work in Public Health, 37(6), 523–535. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2022.2048936
Ormston, R., Spencer, L., Barnard, M., & Snape, D. (2013). The foundations of qualitative research. In J. Ritchie, J. Lewis, C. M. Nicholls, & R. Ormston (Eds.), Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers (pp. 1–25). Sage.
Pant, S., & Subedi, M. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on the elderly. Journal of Patan Academy of Health Sciences, 7(2), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.3126/jpahs.v7i2.31104
Parlapani, E., Holeva, V., Nikopoulou, V. A., Sereslis, K., Athanasiadou, M., Godosidis, A., Stephanou, T., & Diakogiannis, I. (2020). Intolerance of uncertainty and loneliness in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11,. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00842
Patrick, S. W., Henkhaus, L. E., Zickafoose, J. S., Lovell, K., Halvorson, A., Loch, S., Letterie, M., & Davis, M. M. (2020). Well-being of parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national survey. Pediatrics, 146(40), e2020016824.
Population Reference Bureau. (2020). Countries with the oldest population in the world. Retrieved from https://www.prb.org/countries-with-the-oldest-populations/
Sadang, J. M., Palompon, D. R., & Suksatan, W. (2021). Older adults’ experiences and adaptation strategies during the midst of COVID-19 crisis: A qualitative instrumental case study. Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research, 25(2), 113–121. https://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.21.0051
Samuel, L. J., Dwivedi, P., Hladek, M., Cudjoe, T. K. M., Drazich, B. F., Qiwei, L., & Szanton, S. L. (2022). The effect of COVID-19 pandemic-related financial challenges on mental health and well-being among US older adults. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 70(6), 1629–1641. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17808
Shahabi, N., Mohseni, S., Dadipoor, S., Rad, R. E., & Hassani, L. (2022). Perceived stress among older adults during COVID-19 outbreak: A cross-sectional study in Southern Iran. Health Science Report, e993. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.993
Shahid, S., Kalayanamitra, R., McClafferty, B., Kepko, D., Ramgobin, D., Patel, R., Aggarwal, C. S., Vunnam, R., Sahu, N., Bhatt, D., Jones, K., Golamari, R., & Jain, R. (2020). COVID-19 and older adults: What we know. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 68, 926–929. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16472
Song, Q. (2017). Aging and separation from children: The health implications of adult migration for elderly parents in rural China. Demographic Research, 37(55), 1761–1792.
Spiegelberg, H. (1975). Doing phenomenology: Essays on and in phenomenology. Martinus Nijhoff: The Hague
Treasury, H. M., & Sunak, R. (2020). Budget Speech 2020. Gov.uk; 11 March 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/budget-speech-2020
Udenta, J. O. E., Nwosuji, E. P., & Chukwuemeka, E. (2015). Migration and national development: A comparative analysis of the attitude of the first generation south-east Nigeria migrants and the new generation. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 5(5), 153. https://doi.org/10.4172/2223-5833.1000153
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. New York: United Nations. Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld/publication
United Nations (2020). UN working to avert dual crises as COVID-19 hits hunger hotspots. https://www.un.org/en/un-coronavirus-communications-team/un-working-avert-dual-crisescovid-19-hits-hunger-hotspots
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2017). International migration report 2017 highlights. (ST/ESA/SER.A/404). https://www.un.org›desa›migrationreport›doc
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World population prospects 2019. https://population.un.org/wpp/DataQuery/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2020). International migration 2020 highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/452). https://www.un.org/en/desa/international-migration-2020-highlights
Walsh, R. (2003). The methods of reflexivity. The Humanistic Psychologist, 31(4), 51–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873267.2003.9986934
Waidler, J., Vanore, M., Gassmann, F., & Siegel, M. (2016). Does it matter where the children are? The wellbeing of elderly people ‘left behind’ by migrant children in Moldova. Ageing and Society, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X15001385
Waidler, J., Vanore, M., Gassmann, F., & Siegel, M. (2018). Migration and the multi-dimensional well-being of elderly persons in Georgia. Journal of Population Ageing, 11, 217–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-017-9176-4
World Economic Forum. (2017). Migration and its impact on cities. https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=QHGsXZnYMcalwQLZt4XwDw&q=World+Economic+Forum+%282017%29.+Migration+and+its+impact+on+cities.+&oq=World+Economic+Forum+%282017%29.+Migration+and+its+impact+on+cities.+&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0..132733...0.0..3.0.0.......4......gws-wiz.9w_RUYhg-7s&ved=0ahUKEwiZ-OyYiKvlAhXGUlAKHdlbAf4Q4dUDCAk
Zimmer, Z., Rada, C., & Stoica, C. A. (2014). Migration, location and provision of support to older parents: The case of Romania. Population Ageing, 7, 161–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-014-9101-z
Zhu, N., Zhang, D., Wang, W., Li, X., Yang, B., Song, J., & Tan, W. (2020). A novel coronavirus from patients with Pneumonia in China, 2019. The New England Journal of Medicine, 382(8), 727–733. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2001017
Funding
The research was conducted with the authors’ personal funds without any external funding.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Study conception and design (Samuel O. Ebimgbo and Uzoma O. Okoye). Data collection and analysis (Samuel O. Ebimgbo, Oliver Abbah, Ngozi J. Igwe, and Emeka C. Ifediba). First draft of the introduction, result and discussion (Samuel O. Ebimgbo, Ngozi J. Igwe, Ngozi E. Chukwu, Uzoma O. Okoye). Abstract and methodology (Oliver Abbah, Emeka C. Ifediba, Ngozi E. Chukwu). All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
Ethical approval for the study was sought from the Health Research Ethics Committee at the University of Nigeria, Teaching Hospital, Enugu (ref: NHREC/05/01/2008B-FWA00002458-1RB00002323). The participants gave their oral consent to participate in the study.
Consent for Publication
All authors of the article approve that the manuscript should be submitted for publication in Journal of Population Ageing.
Competing Interests
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Ebimgbo, S.O., Abbah, O., Ifediba, E.C. et al. Coping Mechanisms of Older Persons with Emigrant Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. Population Ageing 17, 165–191 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-023-09435-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-023-09435-4