# Repercussions of the Cross-Border Migration Process on Family Life: Systematic Review with Meta-Synthesis

## TL;DR

This study reviews how cross-border migration affects family life, mental health, and social well-being, emphasizing the need for supportive interventions for migrant families.

## Contribution

It provides a meta-synthesis of qualitative evidence on the repercussions of migration on family life, revealing new insights into migrant family dynamics.

## Key findings

- Migration leads to reduced family time, substance use, and fear of losing cultural roots.
- Migrant families face increased conflicts, mental health issues, and loss of social ties.
- Strategies like role adjustment and cultural practices help maintain family functioning.

## Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Examines how cross-border migration reshapes family functioning, mental health, and social well-being—core components of population health.Highlights the structural vulnerabilities experienced by migrant families, including poverty, isolation, and limited access to essential services.

Examines how cross-border migration reshapes family functioning, mental health, and social well-being—core components of population health.

Highlights the structural vulnerabilities experienced by migrant families, including poverty, isolation, and limited access to essential services.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
Provides synthesized evidence on how migration-related stressors contribute to psychological distress, family conflict, and risk behaviors among migrants.Offers critical insights into the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect migrant families across diverse global contexts.

Provides synthesized evidence on how migration-related stressors contribute to psychological distress, family conflict, and risk behaviors among migrants.

Offers critical insights into the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect migrant families across diverse global contexts.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
Emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive health, social, and community interventions to support migrant family adaptation and mental well-being.Informs policy development aimed at reducing social vulnerability, improving service accessibility, and strengthening protective family and community networks.

Emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive health, social, and community interventions to support migrant family adaptation and mental well-being.

Informs policy development aimed at reducing social vulnerability, improving service accessibility, and strengthening protective family and community networks.

The experiences and repercussions of the cross-border migration process on family life have not yet been synthesized. This study aimed to synthesize the best available qualitative findings on this theme. A systematic review of qualitative evidence with meta-synthesis was conducted. Articles were identified according to predefined extraction criteria in the first half of 2025, across seven databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, LILACS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Social Science Citation Index. Two researchers independently screened and appraised the reports, assessing methodological quality and systematically recording and analyzing relevant information. A protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024505655). Fifty studies were included, and three main themes emerged: (a) living in multiple possible contexts, where space and relationships influence family functionality, including reduced family time due to long working hours, substance use, fear of losing cultural roots, new financial responsibilities, and the desire to return to the country of origin; (b) challenges and repercussions on family life after migration, such as increased family conflicts, mental health problems, separation, and loss of ties; (c) strategies for maintaining family functioning, including role adjustment, strengthening of family ties, and support through cultural and religious practices. Families undergoing migration face multiple challenges in their new environments, revealing the complexity of adapting to diverse cultural and social contexts. These findings highlight the need to address the emotional and social demands of migrant families to improve well-being and integration. Understanding these dynamics allows healthcare professionals to design culturally sensitive interventions that promote reception and inclusion.