Internal migration in Chile and the psychosocial well-being of families-of-origin

The understanding of the complex relationship between migration and different dimensions of well-being is still limited. This article applies the framework of psychosocial well-being to analyze the impact of migration on families-of-origin in Chile, using qualitative data collected in four municipalities experiencing high levels of net emigration. We consider four dimensions of psychosocial well-being: material, emotional, psychological and social. Findings show that migration generates large material and emotional costs for families-of-origin while providing no obvious material benefits at least in the short-term. For parents, being able to support their children’s migration, as a way to provide them with better opportunities in a context where local options are limited, appears to contribute to their life purpose, sense of mastery and agency, all important aspects of psychological well-being. Our findings reinforce the importance of analyzing the impact of migration using a multidimensional and holistic perspective, because it affects different aspects of well-being in different ways, reflecting the complex interconnections between individual and social experiences.