Gwmsath Mushahary
Bodoland University and Kokrajhar Govt. College, Kokrajhar, Assam
Pages: 325-337
Psychosocial stress significantly impacts mental well-being, especially among
vulnerable populations. Kokrajhar, one of Assam’s most socio-economically backward
districts, is home to marginalized communities, including the Bodo tribe. The out
migration of youths from this region for livelihoods often separates them from their
parents, causing psychosocial stress among left-behind parents (LBPs). However, hardly
any systematic study has focused on the Bodo tribal LBPs. Hence, this study
investigates the prevalence of psychosocial stress among LBP by taking data from a
primary survey conducted during March and August 2023 from 33 most backward
Forest Villages (FVs), identified using composite scores. Data analyzed using SPSS
25 reveals significant associations between individual and household characteristics
and psychosocial stress, as well as the nature of communication with youth migrants.
The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to raise awareness of mental
health issues among LBPs, particularly in the context of migration, to support
marginalized communities better.