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Social Work PhD student explores the hidden struggles of transnational caregivers 

As families increasingly stretch across multiple countries, more adult children find themselves separated from their aging parents by national borders. PhD student Hossain is intentional examining the way social workers can support transnational caregivers.

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LEXINGTON, Ky.– When Mohammad Sajjad Hossain’s mother falls ill, his first instinct is to be by her side. But as a transnational caregiver, that isn’t always possible. Living thousands of miles away, he navigates a complex web of financial, emotional, and logistical hurdles to ensure her well-being. His experience—marked by guilt, frustration, and unwavering dedication—reflects a reality faced by millions of caregivers worldwide. 

Hossain, a third-year PhD student at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), has turned his personal journey into a platform for research and advocacy. 

His newly published scoping review, “Nature and Challenges of Transnational Caregiving: A Scoping Review,” in the Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work offers a comprehensive analysis of the often-overlooked population of transnational caregivers. Co-authored with Drs. Natalie Pope, Kalea Benner, and Yeon Jin Choi, the paper examines existing research and highlights the pressing need for policy reform and social work interventions tailored to these caregivers’ unique challenges. 

As families increasingly stretch across multiple countries, more adult children find themselves separated from their aging parents by national borders. Despite the distance, many remain deeply connected to their loved ones, taking on caregiving responsibilities from afar. This form of care, known as transnational caregiving, brings distinct challenges—navigating complex healthcare systems, managing financial obligations, and enduring the emotional toll of prolonged separation. 

Hossain’s research builds on this growing field, shedding light on the daily realities of caregivers who must balance these responsibilities across continents. 

“By equipping social workers and other helping professionals with a deeper understanding of transnational caregiving, we can better support these caregivers in navigating the emotional and logistical challenges they face,” said Hossain. “This work has the potential to influence policies that ensure caregivers across borders have access to the resources they need, ultimately fostering a future where caregiving is more sustainable, equitable, and informed by the realities of those providing care from afar.” 

Hossain’s dissertation will expand upon this foundational review, further exploring the lived experiences of transnational caregivers and advocating for meaningful policy changes. His work not only amplifies the voices of caregivers like himself but also urges policymakers and social work practitioners to reconsider how care is provided—and supported—across borders.  

The full publication is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2025.2456751.  

A free-access version of the paper can be found here: https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/JHMDDJIYBC75DK6RZXV5/full?target=10.1080/26408066.2025.2456751. 

For over 85 years, the College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky has been a leader in education. Our mission is clear: Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. Always, in all ways.

As the state’s flagship university, our mission is actualized through our deeds. Our faculty are renowned academicians dedicated to fostering the development of high-quality practitioners and researchers. As a college, we promote community and individual well-being through translational research and scholarship, exemplary teaching, and vital community engagement. We are committed to the people and social institutions throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world.

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