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Social support and stress of kin caregivers of orphaned children in A ddis A baba, E thiopia: Implications for practice and policy
Author(s) -
Kassahun Meseret
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of social welfare
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1468-2397
pISSN - 1369-6866
DOI - 10.1111/ijsw.12145
Subject(s) - social support , stressor , kinship , poverty , kinship care , psychology , family caregivers , situational ethics , gerontology , social psychology , medicine , sociology , clinical psychology , economic growth , anthropology , economics
Using a mixed methods research design, this study analysed available social supports and stressors among 127 kin caregivers who were caring for HIV ‐ and AIDS ‐affected orphans and vulnerable children in A ddis A baba, E thiopia. The conceptual framework of the study was social support viewed as a buffer. Kin caregivers’ scores indicate a low level of social support and a high level of stress. The amount of support caregivers received from formal sources is considered inadequate, irregular and inconsistent. Kin caregivers’ stress is situational and largely related to poverty, especially food insecurity. Social service providers should consider programmes that strengthen support to help kin caregivers deal with major stressors. Policy makers should ensure that both specific child and caregiver supportive policies and related programmes respond to the overwhelming numbers of orphans and vulnerable children in E thiopia through explicitly acknowledging the significant role of kinship care.