Abstract
The escalation in numbers of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa has become a human catastrophe. If governments do not deal with this phenomenon as a priority it might spiral beyond control. Very few studies have been done to investigate the psychosocial impact of orphanhood on children and communities in developing countries. Very little is known about the life world of orphans in developing countries and even less is known about factors in these children’s lives which can affect their mental health. The researchers decided to undertake research in three areas in Southern Africa to investigate the psychosocial well-being of orphans and to compare the findings with existing research findings. A survey was done in three rural areas to determine the perceptions of orphans regarding their own personal experiences and emotional feelings which may reflect on psychosocial well-being, as well as the perceptions of teachers working with these orphans. Except for depression, the findings with regard to most of the psychosocial aspects were in accordance with the literature. The most important findings were that bereavement practices and approaches fit for developed communities might be of little value in developing settings. We are, however, more than aware that orphans from developed counties or even urban settings might differ from those of developing or deep rural areas.Keywords: Orphans; psychosocial well-being; bereavement; poverty; stigmatisation
Highlights
The escalation in numbers of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa has become a matter of great concern
It is estimated that by 2010, in 11 countries in Africa with a combined population of 109 million, 20-37% of children under 15 years of age will have lost one or both parents (Foster, 2002, p. 502). It seems as if most research regarding this dilemma focuses on the physical and medical needs of the children left behind, and lesser studies have been done to investigate the psychosocial impact of orphanhood on children and communities in developing countries like Southern Africa (Foster, 2002, p. 502; Makame, Ani & Grantham-McGregor, 2002, p. 460)
Caution reflected by different researchers that can be supported by us is that one needs to distinguish which factors are specific to orphanhood, or to poverty in general (Cluver & Gardner, 2007, p. 324; Henderson, 2006, p. 305)
Summary
The escalation in numbers of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa has become a matter of great concern. The existing literature deals mainly with the psychosocial needs of orphans in developed countries which includes poverty, social skills, social cultural needs and psychosocial wellbeing, psychological problems and needs, self-esteem, emotional needs, loneliness, social withdrawal bereavement and stigmatisation Following an in-depth literature study, the researchers compiled the questionnaires to seek answers from teachers and orphans on psychosocial-related questions. The second questionnaire, aimed at the perception of the teachers and entailed four sections: A) biographical information, B) five questions to determine the physical needs of the orphans as well as seventeen questions to determine the psychosocial needs of the orphans, C) seven questions aimed at the role of the school to support the orphans and D) four open-ended questions with regard to the culture and norms of the specific community. Steps had been followed to ensure the content validity of the questionnaire and included an extensive literature study and various experts checked the phrasing and assignments of items to fields
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