Behind the Journey: The Psychological Impact of Illegal Migration from Bangladesh to Italy on Rural Migrant’s Families

Due to limited livelihood opportunities, illegal migration from Bangladesh to Italy through Libya has been increasing day by day. While most studies focus on migration routes and economic consequences, less attention has been focused on the psychological effects on migrants’ families. This study aims to explore the psychological impact of illegal migration, particularly with other special considerations to socioeconomic conditions, influencing factors, and challenges on rural migrants’ family in Bangladesh. This study was conducted by following a qualitative research approach. Data were collected through a purposive sampling technique, selecting four migrants’ family from two villages under Madaripur and Shariatpur districts. Data were analyzed descriptively. The findings show that before leaving the country, most of the families suffered economic hardship due to low income, seasonal employment, and limited work opportunities. These conditions, including some influencing factors (unemployment, harassment of legal migration pathways, successful migration of neighbors, high expectations of quality of life, illusory information from brokers), motivated families to illegal migration. The study discloses that illegal migration generates critical psychological stress among migrants’ family members. Heavy debt burden, communication breakdown, long times of uncertainty, and fear of kidnapping by traffickers lead to constant anxiety, emotional distress, and social vulnerability. The study concludes that illegal migrant households are affected not only economically but also psychologically by illegal migration. These findings suggest the need for safer migration pathways, rural work opportunities support, and psychosocial support for migrant families.

Illegal migration, economic hardship, psychological vulnerability, Left-behind family’s stress

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