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1- Ph.D. student, Department of Economics, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran.
2- Department of Economics, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran. ,maryam.jafarit@iau.ac.ir
3- Department of Economics, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran.
2- Department of Economics, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran. ,
3- Department of Economics, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran.
Abstract: (26 Views)
Introduction: Elderly mental health is a key dimension of social welfare that can be influenced by economic and social transformations. In recent years, the increase in the migration of skilled labor and the emergence of remittance flows as one of its major consequences have drawn researchers’ attention to examining the economic and social effects of brain drain.
Methods:The present study aims to analyze the impact of brain drain on the mental health of Iranian elderly people, with emphasis on the role of remittances over the period 1993–2024. To investigate nonlinear relationships and determine threshold effects, a STR model was employed.
Results: The results indicate that remittances act as the transition variable with a logistic transition function and a single threshold level. The estimated remittance threshold is 0.103 (equivalent to 0.43 of GDP). Before remittances reach this threshold, brain drain increases mental health problems among the elderly; however, once remittances exceed the threshold, the effect reverses and leads to a reduction in elderly mental health problems. Moreover, remittances have an increasing effect on mental health problems at lower levels and a decreasing effect at higher levels.
Conclusion: Remittances play a significant moderating role in the relationship between brain drain and elderly mental health. Specifically, brain drain can improve elderly mental health when accompanied by sufficient remittances; otherwise, it may generate negative social and psychological consequences. Therefore, reducing money transfer costs, expanding formal remittance channels, and creating incentives for migrants to send remittances are necessary to strengthen their positive effects.
Methods:The present study aims to analyze the impact of brain drain on the mental health of Iranian elderly people, with emphasis on the role of remittances over the period 1993–2024. To investigate nonlinear relationships and determine threshold effects, a STR model was employed.
Results: The results indicate that remittances act as the transition variable with a logistic transition function and a single threshold level. The estimated remittance threshold is 0.103 (equivalent to 0.43 of GDP). Before remittances reach this threshold, brain drain increases mental health problems among the elderly; however, once remittances exceed the threshold, the effect reverses and leads to a reduction in elderly mental health problems. Moreover, remittances have an increasing effect on mental health problems at lower levels and a decreasing effect at higher levels.
Conclusion: Remittances play a significant moderating role in the relationship between brain drain and elderly mental health. Specifically, brain drain can improve elderly mental health when accompanied by sufficient remittances; otherwise, it may generate negative social and psychological consequences. Therefore, reducing money transfer costs, expanding formal remittance channels, and creating incentives for migrants to send remittances are necessary to strengthen their positive effects.
Keywords: Elderly Mental Health, Brain Drain, Remittances, Health Insurance, Smooth Transition Regression (STR).
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/06/22 | Revised: 2026/11/9 | Accepted: 2026/09/6
Received: 2026/06/22 | Revised: 2026/11/9 | Accepted: 2026/09/6
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