Left Behind and Lonely: The Gendered Psychosocial Well-being of Elderly Parents in Lucknow City

Migration profoundly affects the families of those who relocate, particularly in India, where internal and international migration rates are high. Uttar Pradesh, whose capital is Lucknow, records one of the country’s highest migration rates. This study examines the psychosocial well-being of elderly parents left behind in Lucknow, focusing on the gendered experiences of loneliness and social support among parents whose adult children have migrated for work or business. Employing a qualitative design, the study drew on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 30 elderly parents (15 mothers and 15 fathers) living alone or with a spouse, all of whom had adult children who had migrated to other cities, states, or countries. The interview guide assessed emotional well-being, social support, personal relationships, and coping strategies, with attention to gender. Data were examined through thematic analysis. Findings reveal clear gender differences. Both mothers and fathers report loneliness and emotional distress, but its expression and management differ. Mothers experience greater emotional isolation and deeper feelings of loss, tied to traditionally stronger bonds with their children, and more readily seek emotional support. Fathers also feel loneliness but emphasise the loss of practical support and financial concerns, often coping through community participation while struggling to sustain close ties. These gendered patterns point to the need for gender-sensitive interventions: community engagement activities for fathers and emotional support systems for mothers. The study contributes to the literature on migration and ageing by foregrounding a gendered lens on the well-being of left-behind elderly parents.