Abstract
Few researchers have investigated how female caregivers of institutionalised children, especially those affected by HIV and AIDS, experience stress. The role played by caregivers cannot be overemphasised; yet caregivers who work in institutions caring for orphaned and/or abandoned children affected by HIV and AIDS, are often marginalised and on the periphery of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The implication is that insufficient attention or consideration is given to the importance of the role they play in these children’s lives. The objective of the study was to explore how female caregivers of institutionalised children affected by HIV and AIDS experience stress. A qualitative research project with a case study design was conducted. The purposively selected participants from a previously identified care facility were seven females in the age ranges of 35–59. Data was gathered during individual interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic content analysis of the data yielded the following themes: (1) contextualising caregiving as ‘work’; (2) stresses linked to caregiving; and (3) coping with stress. Findings from this study indicated that participants experienced caregiving in an institution as stressful, demotivating, and emotionally burdensome. Moreover, caregivers working in an environment of HIV and AIDS experienced additional stress related to organisational and management impediments, lack of emotional and practical support, inadequate training, discipline difficulties, and lack of respect and appreciation from the children in their care. It is recommended that training and management support as well as personal support and counselling for caregivers in the institutional context could help them to cope better, feel empowered and to potentially elevate their status as valued members of society.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundIn 2005, it was estimated that 2.3 million South African children would have been orphaned by the devastation of HIV and AIDS by the year 2020 (Actuarial Society of South Africa, 2005)
Findings from this study indicated that participants experienced caregiving in an institution as stressful, demotivating, and emotionally burdensome
Caregivers working in an environment of HIV and AIDS were constantly experiencing additional stress and challenges related to organisational and management impediments, especially lack of emotional and practical support, inadequate training, discipline difficulties, and lack of respect and appreciation from the children in their care
Summary
Introduction and backgroundIn 2005, it was estimated that 2.3 million South African children would have been orphaned by the devastation of HIV and AIDS by the year 2020 (Actuarial Society of South Africa, 2005). The number of all orphaned children in the country had already reached 3.6 million in 2012, of whom two million in the age group 0–17 years had been orphaned by AIDS (UNICEF, 2013). A preferred solution may evolve into an additional complication when the responsibility for care and support falls on vulnerable guardians, including grandparents, young siblings, and relatives who may themselves be infected with HIV, leaving fewer available caregivers and a growing number of financially overwhelmed households (Foster, 2002; Miller, 2007). Evidence suggests that the phenomenon of residential or institutional care has been growing in recent years due to a complex interplay of various factors, among which HIV and AIDS are predominant (Jelsma, Davids, & Ferguson, 2011; Lerner & Trivedi, 2013). South Africa is faced with the challenge of providing adequate institutional space for vast numbers of orphaned and vulnerable children, and ensuring that the institution is capable of facilitating the healthy and holistic development of these children (Makiwane, Schneider, & Gopane, 2004; Morrison, 2008; Mosia, 2014)
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