Enhancing protective factors in South African adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT

This article explores the lived experiences of early adolescents orphaned by HIV/AIDS and seeks to identify the different factors that contribute to resilience at the individual, family or home and larger community levels. Ten early adolescents aged from 12 to 14 years living in Soweto, South Africa, participated in the study. Data were collected using photovoice, structured interviews and autobiographical essays and were analysed using thematic networks analysis. The analysis revealed individual assets, family variables, peer and teacher support alongside other community resources as being protective factors that cultivate resilience. Based on the findings, recommendations are made on how to increase protective factors for adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• AIDS
• protective factors
• resilience
• South Africa

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa. South African Research Chair: Education and Care in Childhood, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg South Africa under Grant number 87300.