Social support as a protective factor for children impacted by HIV/Aids across varying living environments in southern Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID19442671
AuthorsEdna Barenbaum (Cabrini University), Tamarah Smith (0000-0003-2849-237X, Cabrini University, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume28
Issuesup2
Pages92-99
Publication date2016-05-26
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2016.1176683
PMID27392004
OpenAlexW2462088813
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited19

The literature on the psychological well-being of children impacted by HIV/AIDS in Africa highlights increased vulnerability due to loss of parents and environmental stressors (e.g., hunger). Research shows that the lack of attachment and social support due to loss limits the grieving process in children. Access to trusting adults and social support through caregivers can be an important protective factor to allow for coping and better emotional adjustment in the future. This study examined social support systems across varying living environments to determine if social support promoted higher levels of well-being in children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. The participants included 100 children from a small targeted population in southern Africa who receive varying levels of support from a private not-for-profit organization. Children's well-being was assessed through the Psycho-Social Adjustment Scale-Adolescents developed specifically for vulnerable child populations in Africa. Children were individually interviewed either on their homestead, school or hostel. Data demonstrated that children who do not share their feelings had significantly lower measures of positive well-being (M = 2.61 (0.87) vs. M = 3.10 (0.57), d = 0.60). Children with trusted adults were significantly more likely to share their feelings and had lower incidence of hunger (49.1% vs. 62.5%), suicide ideation (15.1% vs. 62.5%) and witnessing violence (69.8% vs. 87.5%). Sharing feelings with caregivers was more pronounced among children who had greater access to trusted adults and correlated with stronger attachment scores (r = .30, p < .01). An important component to decrease levels of anxiety and depression in this vulnerable population is providing access to trusted individuals. Social support interventions are discussed

Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Feeling · Population · Protective factor · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Social support · Social vulnerability · Stressor · Child Welfare and Adoption · Clinical Psychology · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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