Family Migration and Early Life Outcomes.
The project studies the dynamic role migration may play in children’s lives through comparable longitudinal surveys in Chitwan.
Understanding Family Migration and Youth Development: FAMELO & FAMELO-FUN Studies
The FAMELO and FAMELO-FUN projects provide insights into the importance of internal and international family migration for children’s socio-emotional development, educational pathways, and transitions to adulthood.
Household migration often improves income that helps families support child health and education. However, it also creates new pressures on parents to support children’s development and education while managing the stress of separation.
Led by researchers from Arizona State University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Penn State University, and UCLA — in collaboration with partners in Nepal, Mexico, and Mozambique — the projects follow children across multiple years to see how external shocks and family dynamics influence young people’s lives.
Research Objective
To examine how internal and international family migration shape children’s socio-emotional development, educational pathways, and transitions to adulthood across diverse global contexts.
Participant Focus
Following families as children grow and interviewing children themselves to understand their feelings about education, work, and family plans during parental migration.
Comparative Study
Collecting data across three focal settings—Nepal, Mexico, and Mozambique—to identify cross-contextual patterns in parenting and migration impacts.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide our research and commitment to understanding family dynamics across the globe.
Ethical Research
Adapting to new conditions on the ground to ensure interviews are completed safely and comply with local restrictions.
Scientific Excellence
Providing culturally and developmentally grounded measures of socio-emotional competence and human capital acquisition.
Policy Impact
Informing policy makers, caregivers, and educators about the challenges migration poses to children's rights and wellbeing.
Longitudinal Vision
The longitudinal design of FAMELO is central to understanding how migration history and ongoing family migration shape children’s development over time. By following the same participants across multiple waves in Nepal, the study captures critical transitions from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood, providing unique evidence on education, family formation, migration pathways, and long-term wellbeing.
2015–2016
Pilot Phase
Designed collaboratively across Nepal, Mexico, and Mozambique to identify key research constructs and develop culturally appropriate measures for children and caregivers.
2017–2018
Wave I
Interviews with more than 2,000 households in each study setting involving children aged 5–17 years and their caregivers.
2021–2022
Wave II
Completed successfully during the COVID-19 pandemic using adapted field procedures to examine resilience, migration, and children's development.
2024
Wave III
Completed within the year, extending the longitudinal evidence as participants continued their transition into adulthood.
2025–2026
FAMELO-FUN
Data collection has been completed. The project continues with analysis of participants in Nepal, examining education, family formation, migration decisions, and evolving parent–child relationships.
Western Chitwan Valley
The FAMELO and FAMELO-FUN studies are conducted in Chitwan, Nepal, focusing on migration, family dynamics, youth development, and educational aspirations in rapidly changing social contexts.
Research Coverage Area
Western Chitwan Valley spans diverse communities with varying migration patterns and socioeconomic conditions.
Capacity Building and Research Collaboration
The project strengthens interdisciplinary research collaboration between international universities and local institutions while supporting evidence-based policy development on migration and youth wellbeing.
GIT Training
General Interviewing Techniques to Staffs
Data Analysis
Data Analysis Training using Stata Software
Latest Research Output
COVID-19, school closures and the retreat from educational aspirations
Jennifer E. Glick
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/pb-assets/journal-banners/10959254-1633114284817.jpg
Household Migration and Adolescent Marriage Choice in Settings with Changing Marriage Systems
Axxe, E., Hayford, S. R., & Ghimire, D. J. (2024)
Journal of Comparative Family Studies
A Cross-Cultural Examination of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Low-and Middle-Income Countries and Their Relation with Adolescent Educational Aspirations
Alcaraz, Melissa, Hayley Pierce, Natalie D. Eggum, Bertha Lidia Nuño-Gutiérrez, and Dirgha Ghimire
Child Abuse & Neglec
Contact FAMELO
Have questions about our research or interested in collaborating? Send us a message.
Collaboration Opportunities
Interested in collaborating with FAMELO or accessing our research data? Reach out to discuss partnership and data sharing opportunities.