Conducting research is an important part of how TCK Training cares for globally mobile families. In 2024, we ran a survey of 1,643 Adult TCKs, including 1067 Missionary kids who lived abroad during childhood. This research reflected the complexity of an international upbringing, with both wonderful experiences and difficult impacts represented in the data:

91% of missionary TCKs said living abroad was a good experience overall 

76% of missionary TCKS said that living abroad made their family closer 

74% of missionary TCKs reported trouble belonging as an adult

69% of missionary TCKs experienced pressure to perform in their passport country

40% of missionary TCKs were diagnosed with depression

In this blog post, we review data from our latest research (First Look: Data from the 2024 Survey on the Impact of Childhood Global Mobility on Adult Wellness) that applies specifically to missionary kids who lived abroad during childhood (TCKs). We hope to see this research used to support the well-being of missionary TCKs globally – before, during, and after their time abroad.

Respondents were offered a list of statements and asked which reflected their own experiences of growing up as TCKs. These statements were based on common sentiments expressed during our work with hundreds of TCKs, including those we support with Unstacking Sessions. There were a lot of positive sentiments expressed, including:

• 98% of missionary TCKs could see both good and hard parts in their story
• 96% of missionary TCKs said that there were hard times but enriching experiences when living abroad
• 91% of missionary TCKs reported living abroad  was a good experience overall
• 76% of missionary TCKs said that living abroad made their family closer

19% of missionary TCKs said their experience was “mostly painful” which was similar to what we saw in other sectors. It is important to note that the majority of missionary kids also said they could see both good and hard parts in their story, and that living overseas was a good experience overall.

We also reviewed how parents’ occupation impacted TCKs by asking which statements they identified with as children. There seemed to be a strong connection with their parents’ occupation in comparison to other sectors. 74% of missionary TCKs felt proud of their parents' work, 73% of missionary TCKs identified with their parent’s work/ purpose, and 57% felt a desire to follow in their parents’ footsteps (each of these were more common than among non-missionary TCKs). MKs were also much less likely to say they were "indifferent" to their parents' work abroad (10%, compared to 29% of non-missionary TCKs).

On the other hand, missionary kids were also more likely to experience certain struggles than other TCKs:

• Pressure to “perform” in their passport country (69%) 
• Pressure to perfect while living abroad (54%)
• Anxiety due to tasks assigned to them (27%) 

Drawing from our experiences working with hundreds of TCKs, we also curated lists of potential strengths and struggles that might be identified during adulthood. These were predominantly taken from things we regularly hear TCKs say when describing their experiences, but also included words and phrases that are often used to describe the TCKs life – for better or worse.

There were many areas in which missionary TCKs saw strengths in their adult selves, such as the 93% who saw a Broad Worldview as one of their strengths. Missionary TCKs were also  confident in a variety of strengths including: 

• 85% of missionary TCKs identified global perspective as a strength
• 82% of missionary TCKs identified compassion as a strength
• 82% of missionary TCKs identified adaptability as a strength
• 76% of missionary TCKs identified open-mindedness as a strength

Overall, missionary kids were less likely to self-report these strengths than other TCKs. Non-missionary kids were more confident that they possessed strengths of: hope in adversity, goals and aspirations, and that they were self-motivated.

Generally speaking, missionary TCKs identified these areas of struggle in adulthood at similar rates to other TCKs, though missionary TCKs were more likely to say they struggled with difficulty naming/understanding their own feelings, ambiguous loss, and unresolved grief.

Missionary TCKs' greatest areas of struggle included:

• 74% of missionary TCKs identified “trouble belonging” as a struggle
• 58% of missionary TCKs identified “identity uncertainty” as a struggle
• 55% of missionary TCKs identified “difficulty understanding my own feelings” as a struggle
• 51% of missionary TCKs identified with “itchy feet” as a struggle
• 49% of missionary TCKs identified with “unresolved grief” as a struggle

A range of questions were asked regarding experiences of mental health. This included discussions of childhood and adulthood experiences, what mental health care was available (and which was most helpful), screening questions developed in conjunction with several mental health professionals, and questions regarding formal medical diagnoses. We will begin here by looking at key symptoms of mental ill health reported by missionary TCKs through screening questions. 

34% of missionary TCKs said they experienced a “serious mental health crisis” during childhood. 86% of missionary TCKs surveyed had experienced symptoms of at least one mental health concern during their lifetime, and 3 in 5 had at least one formally diagnosed mental health condition. This is similar to what was seen in TCKs from other sectors.

A high percentage of missionary  TCKs had experienced symptoms consistent with anxiety (58%), suicidal ideation (46%), and PTSD (47%). While most of this was consistent with the rates seen in other TCKs, missionary TCKs were a little more likely to experience symptoms of depression (59%) than other TCKs. 

Depression was the most commonly diagnosed condition among missionary TCKs. 40% of all missionary kids surveyed were diagnosed with depression, nearly a third (31%) with anxiety, and 23% of missionary TCKs had been diagnosed with panic attacks.

The lower diagnosis rates for other conditions, especially self harm and suicidal ideation, is not necessarily a good thing. 46% of missionary TCKs experienced suicidal ideation but only 12% received a diagnosis; 21% of MKs experienced self harm but only 4% received a diagnosis. More tools, resources and diagnostic methods need to be made more accessible for missionary families so that MKs get the intervention and support they need in a timely manner.

Previous research showed that a significant proportion of missionary TCKs grew up in homes where adults struggled with their own mental health. It is important that missionary families living internationally receive support to improve the mental health of parents and children alike.

This data reveals a complex picture of missionary TCKs’ globally mobile childhoods: both positive experiences of childhood overall, and difficult experiences with lasting impacts. Taking time to acknowledge this “ampersand life” – the both/and of the missionary kid experience – is important. As we do this, we ask the question: with this knowledge in hand, what can we do to provide empathetic and effective care for missionary families? The first step is simply acknowledging that the stress of international moves and cross-cultural living has a deep impact on families and the relationships between parents and children.

Having acknowledged this difficulty, we can start reaching out for resources that will support missionary families. TCK Training is committed to providing tools and support systems that empower missionary kids  and their families to thrive no matter where in the world they are.