Peer-group support intervention improves the psychosocial well-being of AIDS orphans: Cluster randomized trial
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that AIDS orphanhood status is accompanied by increased levels of psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, intense guilt, shame, and anger. However, few studies have examined the possible reduction of psychological distress in AIDS orphans through the help of interventions that promote well-being. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of a schoolbased peer-group support intervention combined with periodic somatic health assessments and treatment on the psychosocial well-being of AIDS orphans in the Mbarara District of southwestern Uganda. In a cluster randomized controlled design, 326 AIDS orphans aged 10–15 years were assigned to either peer-group support intervention combined with monthly somatic healthcare (n ¼ 159) or control group (n ¼ 167) for follow-up assessment. Baseline and 10 week follow-up psychological assessments were conducted in both groups using self-administered Beck Youth Inventories. Complete data were available for 298 orphans. After adjusting for baseline scores, follow-up scores for the intervention group in comparison with controls showed significant improvement in depression, anger, and anxiety but not for self-concept. This study demonstrated that peer-group support intervention decreased psychological distress, particularly symptoms of depression, anxiety and anger. Thus, the use of peer-group support interventions should be incorporated into existing school health programs.
Categories: Care
Other articles
“Dancing to the Tune of the Donor”: Donor Funding and Local Implementation of Initiatives to Assist Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Uganda, 1986 – 2011
This study is an inquiry into the exercise of power in the mainstream development apparatus, drawing from the case example…
Read morePsychological and Social Issues Affecting Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Orphan-hood is a natural occurrence event of life and not a personal choice. It is a natural life event of losing a parent…
Read moreChildhood Parental Loss and Adult Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Function
Background: Several decades of research link childhood parental loss with risk for major depression and other forms of psychopathology.…
Read moreDeath and Divorce: The Long‐Term Consequences of Parental Loss on Adolescents
Two quasi‐experiments are used to estimate the impact of parental divorce on the adult labor market and marital/fertility…
Read more