To evaluate the effects of overseas sojourns on the psychosocial conditions of children, we observed Japanese children and their mothers temporarily living in the United States. Using a questionnaire, we examined the psychosocial condition of 61 Japanese mother-and child pairs (male = 51 percent, aged 8 to 15) living in the United States. One-fourth of the mothers were regarded as having minor psychiatric illness according to the General Health Questionnaire. One-tenth of the children were assessed as depressive by the Children’s Depression Inventory, and 30 percent of the children were identified as having a high level of anxiety according to the Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the mother’s minor psychiatric illness was significantly associated with the levels of depression and anxiety in their children.
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