1. Research


Demographic transition

Living apart from family members and familiar environments is becoming more and more a global phenomenon (www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/, 2,01. 09). This phenomenon is quite common to many of us, as most of us will live in several places during our lives, possibly more than once, whether temporarily or permanently. Historically, voluntary and forced migration is one of the most reoccuring themes, which did not lose its momentum with the passing of time. On the contrary, in the twentieth century it has increasingly become serious issue which faces many problems all over the world.

In some industrialised countries, rapid urbanization plays a great role in this shift of demographic change: as hundreds of millions of young workers leave their families and hometowns for better work opportunities in cities (www.cohre.org, 15,03,09)

What is important in these findings is to explore the ramifications in what these demographic changes have on the psychological well being of the people moving away from their families and hometowns.