Problem:
Introduction:
In Jamaica, expatriate employment and labor migration provide important economic opportunities but may also generate psychological and relational strain for spouses who remain behind. Migration from Jamaica is substantial; in 2016, approximately 1.3 million Jamaican-born individuals resided abroad, representing about 45% of the resident population (Nwankwo & Govia, 2022, p. 2). Additionally, approximately 43% of Jamaican households receive remittances from relatives living overseas (McFarlane et al., 2022), indicating that migration-related family arrangements are widespread. Together, these migration patterns suggest that prolonged marital separation related to overseas employment has become a significant feature of Jamaican family life. Research from migration contexts indicates that prolonged spousal separation may be associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, loneliness, lower marital satisfaction, and other psychological and relational challenges among left-behind spouses (Niu & Wang, 2024; Nguyen et al., 2025; Nwankwo & Govia, 2022; Rai et al., 2023). The development of culturally responsive psychological interventions for transnational families may be enhanced by understanding how left-behind spouses perceive and cope with migration-related marital separation.
However, despite the prevalence of migration-related family separation, limited research has examined how Jamaican left-behind spouses cognitively appraise prolonged marital separation, particularly whether it is experienced as a voluntary shared decision or as constrained by economic and structural pressures. This gap is critical because cognitive appraisal processes play a central role in shaping coping responses and psychological adjustment during prolonged relational stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), including stress associated with migration-related spousal separation (Wurtz, 2022).
Accordingly, this study explores how Jamaican left-behind spouses cognitively appraise and make meaning of prolonged migration-related marital separation, particularly whether the separation is perceived as a shared family decision or as constrained by economic pressures, and how these appraisals shape coping, psychological adjustment, and marital functioning. Guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this chapter outlines the background of the problem, the statement of the problem, the purpose of the study, the research questions, and the theoretical framework. The purposive sample of approximately 10-15 participants aligns with the methodological assumptions of IPA. Additionally, the prevalence of migration-related family separation in Jamaica, combined with accessible recruitment channels through community organizations and online networks, makes it feasible to identify and recruit eligible participants within an ethically appropriate and manageable timeframe (Smith et al., 2009).
Background of the Problem:
Prolonged employment-related marital separation resulting from labor migration may create emotional strain, loneliness, increased household responsibilities, and relational challenges for spouses who remain in Jamaica while their partners work abroad, reflecting broader psychological and social consequences for families affected by migration-related separation (Kofman et al., 2022; Thomas-Brown, 2023).
Based on the Introduction and opening sentence of the Background of the Problem above, suggest a very brief closing transitional sentence that could serve as smooth flow smooth flow into the Background of the problem. Need Assignment Help?