Socio economic and psychological dimensions of migration-induced exclusion of the elderly in Kerala, India: an empirical analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to link the multifarious problems of the elderly in a socio-economic and psychological framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The universe of the sample is elderly left behind in emigrant households in Kerala. In total, 600 samples were mustered using multistage stratified random sampling method. The paper, with the aid of factor analysis, χ2 and correspondence analysis, blemish the principal factors responsible for the migration-induced exclusion of the elderly.

Findings

The empirical result derived from the study shows that migration-induced exclusion is all pervasive in Kerala. The elderly left behind yearn for the presence of their children rather than the emigration and concomitant remittances.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study are helpful to the policy makers to understand the issues faced by the elderly and include all stakeholders concerned to find a solution to tackle these problems faced by the elderly due to emigration of their children.

Practical implications

The study is practically relevant in developing appropriate policy framework in Kerala as it illumines the role of the government to overcome the exclusionary trend and other manifold problems of the elderly.

Social implications

The study sheds light to a new social problem developing in the state in the form of elderly exclusion owing to emigration of the young working groups in regional dimensions, demographic levels, community angles and the emerging culture of old age home in the Kerala economy and society.

Originality/value

The study is a unique one and tries to situate the principal factors responsible for the emigration-induced exclusion of the elderly in Kerala with empirical evidence.

Citation

Rajasenan, D., Jayakumar, M.S. and Abraham, B.G. (2016), "Socio economic and psychological dimensions of migration-induced exclusion of the elderly in Kerala, India: an empirical analysis", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 51-65. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-05-2014-0018