Migration and Psychological Status in South African Black Migrant Children

Abstract

The psychological status of South African Black migrant children whose families had migrated involuntarily from their indigenous residence to an informal settlement was explored. Three groups, each consisting of 50 Black migrant children, were randomly selected from three types of migrant populations. A control group of 50 nonmigrant children was also formed. The Child “A” scale was administered to the parental figures of these children. The results showed differences in the psychological status of the migrant and nonmigrant children as well as between the groups of migrant children. The need for further research to explore the differential impact of premigration socializing experiences on developing migrant children was identified.