Development of a psychosocial support programme for orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe District, South Africa

Background: There has been an increasing fear about the problem of orphaned and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS, and the need for psychosocial support for their well-being. Aim: This study aims to develop a psychosocial support programme for orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe District, South Africa. The research objectives were to describe a psychosocial support programme for orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe District of South Africa, to describe the experiences of orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe District, South Africa, to explore possible approaches for psychosocial support towards OVC by community based workers, to explore possible approaches for psychosocial support towards OVCs by social workers, to conduct meta-inferences and conceptualise findings into a conceptual framework that will guide the development of a programme,and to develop a psychosocial support programme for OVCs in the Vhembe District of South Africa. Method: The research strategy chosen for this study was the Multiphase Mixed-Methods approach. The study was conducted in phases. Phase 1 was a systematic review to identify the available support programmes, interventions, and strategies for orphans and vulnerable children. Phase 2 was an empirical phase employing a qualitative multi-method design of three stages. Stage 1 was an exploratory-descriptive qualitative study exploring and describing the experiences of orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe District. Stage 2 and 3 were qualitative, exploratory-descriptive studies exploring possible approaches for psychosocial support for orphans and vulnerable children among community-based and social workers within the selected municipalities in Vhembe District. An in-depth semi-structured interview was used to collect data from orphans and vulnerable children and social workers through an interview guide with open-ended questions. Focus group discussions were used to collect data from community-based workers. Data was analysed using Tesch’s opening coding data analysis guide. Ethical considerations and measures to ensure trustworthiness were provided in Phase 2 of the study. In Phase 3, meta-inferences were conducted and conceptualised Phase 1 and 2 and 3‘s findings into a conceptual framework that guided the development of a psychosocial support programme for orphans and vulnerable children. Finally, Phase 4 was developing and validating a psychosocial support programme for orphans and vulnerable children in the Vhembe district, South Africa. Results: Through qualitative studies, key aspects and apprehensions of developing a psychosocial support programme for OVCs were identified. Implementation of this programme could improve the psychosocial wellbeing of orphans and vulnerable children. Conclusion: The study revealed that there is still a gap in the provision of psychosocial support of OVCs. The study findings highlighted the importance of psychosocial support on OVCs, but it was not effectively provided.

Author dc:creator

• Matshepete, Livhuwani Precious

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Makhado, L.
• Mashau, N. S.

• Orphans
• Vulnerable
• Psychosocial support

Statement dc:rights

• University of Venda

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/123456789/2784

OAI record oai:identifier

https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Aunivendspace.univen.ac.za%3A123456789%2F2784