Journal of Psychiatry

My grandmother loves me: An exploration of the socio-emotional wellbeing of AIDSorphaned adolescents based on the narratives of both the orphans and grandmother carers

6^th World Congress on Psychiatry & Psychological Syndromes

October 09-10, 2023 London, UK

Petunia Tsweleng

University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Parental death is a major and stressful loss in a child’s life. Research shows that, often, orphaned adolescents’ mental health problems are mostly associated with this burden of parental loss. This study explored the socio-emotional wellbeing of adolescents orphaned through Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based on their narratives as well as the narratives of their grandmother primary caregivers. The study used a qualitative research method with narrative inquiry approach to explore the social and emotional wellbeing of the orphans. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 6 purposefully selected adolescent orphans aged 10 to 17, 3 males and 3 females, and their current primary caregivers. Findings show that, although the orphans were exposed to AIDS-related stigma, discrimination and rejection due to parental AIDS-resultant deaths, most of them fared well emotionally and socially. It has been stated that their socio-emotional wellbeing was mainly boosted by the positive caregiving relationships they had with primary caregivers who were maternal grandmothers. The self-reported data further revealed that, the orphans experienced unconditional love, warmth and affection from their caregivers. The majority of the orphans maintained meaningful friendship relationships at school and within the community, and also performed well academically. However, there were few adolescents who performed poorly in their social and academic functioning. It was explained that, this was mainly due to spending excessive time on their mobile phones. As indicated, grandmothers’ caregiving has the ability to boost AIDS-orphaned adolescents’ capabilities to achieve social and emotional wellbeing. And that being the case, the government should consider increasing programmes that are aimed at supporting and strengthening grandmothers who are primary caregivers to orphans and vulnerable children. Furthermore, existing psychosocial support programmes should explore possible causative factors concerning the orphans’ spending of excessive time on mobile phones and intervene appropriately. Future studies may also consider investigating this. Keywords: Adolescent orphans, Socio-emotional wellbeing, Caregiving relationships, Grandmothers.

Recent Publications 1. Tsweleng, M. P. (2023). An Exploration of Community-Based Services and Resources Available to Boost the Capabilities of AIDS-Orphaned Adolescents and Primary Caregivers to Achieve Emotional and Psychosocial Wellbeing. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 11, 609-628. https://doi.org/10.4236/ jss.2023.115037 2. Tsweleng, P. (2023). “it’s very genuine”: The perceptions of stakeholders on the primary caregiving relationships of adolescents orphaned by AIDS and grandmothers [Abstract]. J Child Adolesc Behav, 11. https://childpsychology.insightconferences.com/abstract/2023/it-s-very-genuine-the-perceptionsof- stakeholders-on-the-primary-caregiving-relationships-of-adolescents-orphaned-by-aids-andgrandmothers 3. Tsweleng, M. P. (2022). A Systematic Review Regarding Caregiving Relationships of Adolescents Orphaned by Aids and Primary Caregivers [Abstract]. International Journal of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, 16(07). https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/150776/pdf 4. Tsweleng, P., & Roman, N. (2013). “My mother has AIDS”: Stories of adolescents living in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Journal of Community and Health Sciences, 8(1), 47-56.

Biography :

Petunia Tsweleng currently a fulltime doctoral student. I have a B. Ed. Educational Psychology honours degree and a psycho-socio masters' degree in Child and Family Studies. I am also a qualified Assessor and Moderator (registered with the HWSETA). I specialise in child, family and community development. I worked for three community-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in Cape Town, South Africa. My work focused mainly on Child and Family Psychosocial Wellbeing, Adolescent Development, and Community Health Wellness.