Parental Migration During Childhood and Later‐Life Major Depressive Disorder

The rise of migration in many communities across the Global South raises questions about its consequences for the children of migrants. Previous studies have primarily examined the immediate impact of parental migration on children's well‐being, while its cumulative effects across the life course remain largely unknown. Drawing on retrospective life histories, prospective monthly residency data, and novel diagnostic measures of mental disorders from the longitudinal Chitwan Valley Family Study in Nepal, this study examines the relationship between parental migration during childhood and later‐life onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). Results indicate that parental migration during childhood is associated with a reduced risk of developing MDD across the life course, although this benefit is exclusive to the younger cohort. These findings suggest that in a context where migration is prolific, parental migration may serve as a protective force against adverse mental health outcomes in later adolescence and adulthood, thus revealing a potential source of long‐term inequality in high out‐migration countries such as Nepal.