Is being a 'left-behind' child associated with an increased risk of self-poisoning in adulthood? Findings from a case–control study in Sri Lanka

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21879238
AutoresDuleeka Knipe (0000-0002-1040-7635, University of Peradeniya, autor de correspondencia), Paul Moran (0000-0002-9257-8699, University of Bristol), L D Howe (0000-0003-3357-2796, University of Bristol), Piumee Bandara (0000-0002-9003-8648, Translational Research Institute), Kolitha Wickramage (0000-0003-1307-9224, International Organization for Migration), David Gunnell (0000-0002-0829-6470, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust), Thilini Rajapakse (0000-0001-9732-4666, University of Peradeniya)
Año2021
Volumen6
Número3
Páginase003734
Fecha de publicación2021-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
EditorialBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003734
PMID33648980
OpenAlexW3134316874
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas25

PURPOSE: The long-term consequences of parental emigration on offspring self-harm risk is unknown. METHODS: We investigated the association between experiencing parental emigration in childhood with hospital presentations for self-poisoning in adulthood using a hospital case-control study. Cases were adult self-poisoning patients (≥18 year olds) admitted to the medical toxicology ward Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Sex and age frequency matched controls were recruited from the outpatient department or nearby specialist clinics at the same hospital. Details of parental emigration were collected using a pre-piloted questionnaire. The relationship between parental emigration and self-poisoning in adulthood was estimated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: 298 cases, and 500 hospital controls were interviewed for the study. We estimate that one in five adults experienced parental emmigration as children (95% CI 17% to 24%). We find limited evidence that children from households with emigrating parents were more likely to experience adverse childhood experiences than those with non-emigrating parents. We found no statistical evidence of an increased risk of self-poisoning in adulthood in individuals who experienced parental emigration (maternal or paternal) during childhood. There was no statistical evidence that the impact differed by the sex of the participant. CONCLUSION: Adults who experienced parental emigration as children were no more likely to self-poison than adults with non-emigrating parents. Further research using longitudinal data are needed to understand whether any adverse outcomes observed in 'left-behind' children are a consequence of parental emigration or due to factors associated but predate the emigration. Prospective data are also important to investigate whether there are any lasting effects on children who experience parental emigration

Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Left behind · Mental health · Occupational safety and health · Pathology · Poison control · Psychiatry · Self-control · Sociology · South asia · Sri lanka · Suicide prevention · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies · Pediatrics