THE MODERATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE RELATI ONSHIP BETWEEN ADVERSITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH OF HIV/AIDS- RELA TED ORPHANS IN MAFIKENG

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed at exploring the moderating role of perceived social support in the rela tionship between mental health and adversities of HIV/AIDS- related orphans in Mafikeng. Method: A cross-sectional research was conducted and three hundred and twenty one partici pants were purposively selected from two orphanage centres and two secondary schools in M afikeng (orphans and non- orphans).Orphans were 121 (male= 66, female= 55), and non-orph ans were 200 (male= 115, female= 85) between 10 to 20 years of age.Data was collected usin g Child Abuse Trauma Scale (CAT- Scale), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28), and Mul ti-Dimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSS). Results: The findings of the study indicated that there was a statistically significant negative relationship between child abuse and trauma (r= -.492, p= .01); and perceived social support. Results also indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between child abuse a nd trauma (r= .423, p= .01); and mental health. As predicted, perceived social support modera ted the relationship between adversities and mental health (R2 = 0.09, DF(1, 320) = 7.697, p< 0.001). Therefore, as perceived social support increases, it lessens the probability of high men tal health scores, even when adversitiesis high or low. Conclusion: Adversities have a significant negative relationship with perceived social suppor t, and adversities also have a significant positive relationship with mental health. Perceived so cial support moderate the relationship between adversities and mental health.