Reentry program impact on missionary kid depression, anxiety, and stress: A three-year study

Abstract

Missionary Kids (MKs) are included in a broader population known as Third Culture Kids, children who are raised outside of their parents' home country. This cross-cultural upbringing provides many benefits but also presents challenges upon repatriation to the passport country. This study utilized a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design to examine the impact of MK reentry programs on psychological well-being. Participants included 186 MKs who had lived in 86 countries and represented 68 missionary sending agencies. MANOVA results indicated significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress levels following program attendance. Differences were noted by gender, with females reporting significantly lower levels of psychological well-being than males. Implications for caregivers and recommendations for further research are discussed.