Psychological Effects experienced by Afrodescendant Adolescents with Shipped-out Parents

Abstract

This research has addressed the psychological effects experienced by Afrodescendant adolescents with shipped-out parents. It’s focused on a quantitative and qualitative methodology, with 70 students from first to fifth year of the Moravian School in the city of Bluefields, by conducting surveys and focus groups.

Among the main results, it can be mentioned that from the perspective of adolescents that are affected by the absence of their parents we find the following levels: A lot 40%, little bit 37% and 23% nothing. However, despite the distance, 72% of the teenagers suggests that the relationship with their parents is good, 21% says is regular and 7% says it is indifferent.

They are also aware of the sacrifices that their parents do in order to improve their standard of living. Their appreciation is that the economic support perceived from their parents corresponds to 54%, 44% emotional and spiritual 1%; only 1% expressed not to feel supported.

With regard to the academic performance, the 50% is high, 46% medium and 4% is low. These data are consistent with teachers' evaluations. To face the absence of parents they perform different activities: sports 49%, 4% in religious groups and 47% in social activities.

In relation to the acquired behaviors, they expressed to be isolated, rebellious, undisciplined, distracted and independent. 86% identify themselves with one of these behaviors while 14% say they don’t present any of them.