Transnational Families: The Experiences of Elderly Mothers in India

Abstract

This study examined the transnational experiences of 30 elderly mothers in India with adult offspring residing in the United States. Through personal interviews, the focus was on examining the issues, challenges, and coping strategies that older mothers faced in the transnational context. The average age of the older mothers was 64.7 years (SD =7.2). All of them had some college education (75% had a college degree), and they were most likely to be widowed (80%). Except for two interviewees, the rest were followers of the Hindu faith. Through qualitative analysis, the following themes were salient: loneliness, uncertainty/anxiety pertaining to the future, being irrelevant, intergenerational contact, and communication connectivity. The study highlights the challenges faced by “left behind” mothers, and addresses the implications for the health and well-being of both elderly mothers as well as adult offspring residing in two different nations.