The psychosocial effects of AIDS and the development of identity amongst AIDS orphans

• Main Author: Tshenkeng, Boitumelo Florence
• Other Authors: Matoane, Matshepo
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: HIV/AIDS impact; Attitude on HIV/AIDS; HIV/AIDS orphans; Psychological wellbeing; Households; 362.196979200968; AIDS (Disease) > Social aspects > South Africa; AIDS (Disease) > South Africa > Psychological aspect; Children of AIDS patients > South Africa; Children of AIDS patients > Services for > South Africa; Orphans > Services for > South Africa; Orphans > Counseling of > South Africa; Orphans > South Africa > Psychological aspects; Identity (Psychology) in children > South Africa; Children of AIDS patients > South Africa > Psychology; Developmental psychology > South Africa; Children and death > South Africa
• Online Access: Tshenkeng, Boitumelo Florence (2009) The psychosocial effects of AIDS and the development of identity amongst AIDS orphans, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/3098>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/3098

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and its impact on their identity development. The qualitative research paradigm was chosen for the purpose of this study. In depth interviews were held with three young adults who lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS when they were young. Hermeneutics thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study’s results identified different psychosocial issues associated with HIV/AIDS which were considered to be an influence in the lives of participants and their identity development. The results indicate that HIV/AIDS still has a strong and negative connotation which influenced the participants’ attitude and behaviour, including the development of their sense of identity. === Psychology === M.A. (Clinical Psychology)