Effects of Parental Absence on Psychosocial Development of Adolescents

This descriptive quantitative correlational study systematically examined the effects of parental absence—both physical (e.g., migration, work) and emotional (e.g., limited engagement)—on the psychosocial development of 30 adolescents aged 13-19 years residing in selected barangays (Sto. Cristo, Divino Rostro, Tayhi, Pawa) of Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines, conducted from May to June 2025. Employing a researcher-developed, expert-validated structured questionnaire with 5-point Likert scaling (5=Always to 1=Never), the research profiled respondents' socio-demographics, quantified health effects across physical (10 items: fatigue, sleep disruption), psychological (10 items: anxiety, self-worth), and social domains (10 items: peer substitution, risky behaviors), tested Pearson r correlations with demographics, and proposed evidence-based interventions. Key findings revealed a respondent profile dominated by late adolescents (17-19 years: 57%, f=17), females (57%, f=17), middle children (40%, f=12), high school enrollees amid dropouts (40% enrolled, 30% dropped), and nuclear families (50%, f=15), reflecting OFW-impacted Bicol youth vulnerable during Erikson's identity formation. Physical effects manifested "sometimes" (overall WM=2.70): hygiene often maintained via remittances (WM=3.43) but poor sleep (2.93), weakness (2.83), headaches (2.73) prevalent from absent routines/affection. Psychological impacts peaked "sometimes/often" (WM=2.90) with anxiety over expectations (3.43, "Often") and mood swings (3.40, "Often") leading, alongside low self-esteem (2.80), peer preference (3.03); social effects averaged 2.82 ("sometimes") highlighted by peer openness (3.43, "Often") and premarital sex risks for belonging (3.40, "Often"), signaling Family Systems triangulation. Statistical analysis showed moderate significant positive correlations: gender with physical/psychological effects (r=0.362*/0.333*, p