A qualitative exploration of resilience in pre-adolescent AIDS orphans living in a residential care facility

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a study among a small group of South African AIDS orphans living in a residential care facility, Lebone Land. The research was conducted between June and September 2006. A qualitative, exploratory study consisting of in-depth, semistructured interviews with eight children and seven key informants aimed to identify and investigate developmental assets operating in the children's lives to help them cope amid exposure to adversities. The findings indicate that the developmental assets that facilitate coping and foster resilience in these children relate to four main components: external stressors and challenges, external supports, inner strengths and interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Emerging key themes relate to the experience of illness, death, poverty and violence, as well as the important roles of morality, social values, resistance skills, religion and faith in assisting these children in defining their purpose in life. To this end, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, goal-setting, problem-solving ability and self-efficacy are fundamental in the children's attainment of their future projections. Therefore, qualities such as optimism, perseverance and hope seem to permeate the children's process of recovery. Strong networks of support, particularly friendships with other children, also seem to contribute to developing and sustaining resilience.

Cet article présente les conclusions d'une étude réalisée au sein d'un petit groupe d'orphelins du Sida sud-africains vivant dans une institution, Lebone Land. L'étude a été conduite de juin à septembre 2006. Une étude qualitative préliminaire consistant en entretiens approfondis et semi-structurés avec huit enfants et sept informateurs clés a visé à identifier et à étudier les facteurs développementaux à l'action dans les vies des enfants afin de les aider à faire face aux difficultés auxquelles ils se trouvent confrontés. Les conclusions indiquent que les facteurs développementaux aidant à faire face aux difficultés et favorisant la résilience chez ces enfants sont associés à quatre composantes principales : les facteurs de stress et les défis externes, les soutiens externes, les forces intérieures et les compétences interpersonnelles et de résolution de problèmes. Les thèmes clés qui émergent se rapportent à l'expérience de la maladie, de la mort, de la pauvreté et de la violence, ainsi qu'aux rôles importants de la moralité, des valeurs sociales, des compétences de résistance, de la religion et de la foi pour aider ces enfants à trouver leur but dans la vie. A cette fin, une utilisation constructive du temps, un dévouement à l'apprentissage, la fixation d'objectifs, la capacité à résoudre des problèmes et l'auto-efficacité sont essentiels pour permettre à l'enfant de réaliser ses projets d'avenir. Par conséquent, des qualités telles que l'optimisme, la persévérance et l'espoir semblent imprégner le processus de rétablissement des enfants. De solides réseaux de soutien, en particulier les liens d'amitié avec d'autres enfants, semblent également contribuer au développement et au maintien de la résilience.

Keywords:

• resilience
• HIV/AIDS affected children
• pre-adolescence
• residential care

Mots clés:

• résilience
• enfants affectés par le VIH/Sida
• préadolescence
• institutions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anja Pienaar

Anja Pienaar worked as a junior researcher at the Centre for Health Systems Research & Development from 2007–2010. She is currently a full time doctoral student in the Department of Psychology of Education at the University of the Free State. Her research interests include children's adjustment to adversity, prevention and intervention programmes aimed at improving developmental outcomes for HIV/AIDS-affected children, positive psychology and attachment in children.

Zendré Swanepoel

Zendré Swanepoel is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology of Education at the University of the Free State. She is also a practising psychologist who works with adolescent behavioural problems. Her research focus is resilience and attachment, and she has presented numerous papers at national and international conferences.

Hendrik van Rensburg

Hendrik van Rensburg specialises in the Sociology of Health and Health Care. He founded and for 17 years directed the CHSR&D (UFS). He recently retired and was appointed Professor Extraordinary. During his career he was Senior Professor and Outstanding Professor and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Antwerp.

Christo Heunis

Christo Heunis is a sociologist and health systems researcher specialising in the social aspects of TB and HIV/AIDS. He is Associate Professor and Director of the CHSR&D (UFS). His PhD research focused on hospitalisation for TB. He is the principal investigator of a study to increase patients' uptake of HIV testing.