Psychosocial support and marginalization of youth-headed households in Rwanda

Abstract

This research aims to characterize the psychosocial aspects of well-being among youth-headed households (YHH) in Gikongoro, Rwanda, through examination of social support and marginalization. Data is presented on perceived availability of support from relatives, an unidentified adult, peers, and other community members and an index of social marginalization. A total of 692 interviews were completed with YHH age 13–24 who are beneficiaries of a basic needs program. Sixteen percent of youth reported there was no one they felt they could go to with a problem. In times of need, only 24% felt relatives would help them, while 57% felt neighbors would offer assistance. Most youth reported significant caring relationships: 73% reported access to trusted adult who offers them advice and guidance, and most indicated close peer relationships. However, many youth also perceived a lack of community support, with 86% feeling rejected by the community and 57% feeling the community would rather hurt them than help them. Social support is a low-cost critical resource for the care of vulnerable youth and an understanding of existing social support networks would enhance the design and implementation of psychosocial and community-based care initiatives.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to a consortium of academic and program partners who have provided immense support and guidance to this research. WVR has dedicated key staff, time and effort to this project, and we thank them for their enthusiasm and collegiality. From the local offices, in addition to the authors on this paper, Kofi Hagan, Solomon Nsabiyera, Jean Muhire and Fidel Tugume have offered vast support for this research. A number of professionals from the RSPH supported fieldwork and data entry, including Jean de Dieu Bizimana, Teddy Mironko, Innocent Naikumana, Isaac Ntahobakurira, Laetitia Nyirazinyoye, Happy Immaculée Rugira and Solange Zwadi. Sixteen interviewers worked tirelessly, trekking up mountains during the rainy season, to interview youth and conducted their data collection with great care, compassion and empathy. Additionally, we are indebted to our Rwandan Technical Committee who have assured the quality of this project through their careful attention to the cultural and contextual relevance of program and research strategies in Rwanda. We also thank Alicia Dagget from SPH&TM for her assistance in preparing reports related to this manuscript.

This project was made possible through the financial support of Horizons/Population Council (a USAID funded project) who provided funding for the operations research and program monitoring system. World Vision US in Washington, DC, ensured continuous funding for the program implementation arm of this project. In particular, we thank Ashley Inselman of WVUS for her enthusiasm and support in collaboration on this project.

Most importantly, we extend our respect and appreciation to the brave youth in Gikongoro, who gave freely of their time and shared sensitive and intimate information to open our eyes to the challenges and strengths of youth in difficult circumstances. We thank them for their honesty, integrity, strength and the hope they give us for the future of orphans and other vulnerable young people in Africa.

Finally, we thank Dr Lorraine Sherr for her understanding and support to the authors from Tulane University who were directly affected by Hurricane Katrina at the time of the writing of this paper. Our kind thanks to her and the editors of AIDS Care Journal for the generous extension they provided for our submission.

Notes

1. The marginalization scale met the levels of adequacy proposed. Though Cronbach α levels are presented in the text, results of Principal Components Analyses with varimax rotation are not discussed. The eigenvalues of the marginalization scale indicated it was unidimensional and, with exception of one item with a factor loading of 0.529, each scale item had factor loadings exceeding 0.60.