The psychosocial needs of teenagers orphaned by HIV and AIDS : a qualitative study in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Dealing with HIV, AIDS, parental illness and death are realities many South African teenagers have to face. Understanding the experiences of such teenagers provides a vital ingress into the complexities of the HIV and AIDS epidemic as a social phenomenon. The objective of this study was to describe the psychosocial needs of orphans aged 13-15 years. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of teenaged orphans in KwaZuluNatal. Findings reveal that these teenagers were confronted with drastic changes before and after the deaths of their parents. Several losses were experienced, such as the loss of a parent, the loss of friends, the loss of a home, an inheritance and a childhood. The care experience of the teenagers differed. Whereas some caregivers provided some of the needs of the teenagers, unmet psychosocial needs and poor care were reported.