Social support and school outcomes of adolescents orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS living in South Western Uganda

ABSTRACT

The goal of this study is to examine the role of social support from multiple sources, including the extended family, caregivers, classmates, peers and teachers, in improving the school outcomes (grades and attendance) of children orphaned by AIDS in Uganda. Data for this study comes from a 4-year randomized control trial, called Suubi-Maka (Hope for families), conducted in the Southwestern part of Uganda from 2008 to 2012. Using multivariate regression modeling – controlling for several individual-level and school-level characteristics, we find that social support (perceived emotional and information support received from parents, classmates and teachers), caregiver’s acceptance and warmth, and family cohesion have positive effects on children’s school grades and attendance. This finding underscores the importance of strengthening relationships within the extended family and the school environment to serve as a net of strength that can influence not only family functioning but also vulnerable adolescents’ educational trajectories.

KEYWORDS:

• Vulnerable youth educational outcome
• children made vulnerable due to AIDS
• social support
• caregiver support
• family cohesion
• Uganda

Acknowledgments

Financial support for the Suubi-Maka study came from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH; Grant Number # RMH081763A). We are grateful to the staff and the volunteer team at the International Center for Child Health and Asset Development in Uganda for monitoring the study implementation process. Our special thanks go to all children and their caregiving families who agreed to participate in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [Grant Number RMH081763A].