More than the loss of a parent: potentially traumatic events among orphaned and abandoned children
Kathryn Whetten, Jan Ostermann, Rachel Whetten, Karen O'Donnell, Nathan Thielman, Positive Outcomes for Orphans Research Team, Chris Bernard Otieno Agala, Frehiwot Alebachew, Sisay Woldeyohannes Ameya, Robin Briggs, Sopheak Chan, Haimanot Diro, Rama Devi Durgam, Belaynesh Engidawork, Dafrosa Itemba, Venkata Gopala Krishna Kaza, Becky Kinoti, Rajeswara Rao Konjarla, Mao Lang, Dean Lewis, Ira Madan, Cyrilla Manya, Restituta Mvungi, Laura Kathleen Murphy-McMillan, Robert Mujera, Kokeb Badma Negatu, Imliyanger Pongen, Pelevinuo Rai, John Shao, Neville Selhore, Amani Sizya, Vanroth Vann, Augustine Wasonga, Kathryn Whetten, Jan Ostermann, Rachel Whetten, Karen O'Donnell, Nathan Thielman, Positive Outcomes for Orphans Research Team, Chris Bernard Otieno Agala, Frehiwot Alebachew, Sisay Woldeyohannes Ameya, Robin Briggs, Sopheak Chan, Haimanot Diro, Rama Devi Durgam, Belaynesh Engidawork, Dafrosa Itemba, Venkata Gopala Krishna Kaza, Becky Kinoti, Rajeswara Rao Konjarla, Mao Lang, Dean Lewis, Ira Madan, Cyrilla Manya, Restituta Mvungi, Laura Kathleen Murphy-McMillan, Robert Mujera, Kokeb Badma Negatu, Imliyanger Pongen, Pelevinuo Rai, John Shao, Neville Selhore, Amani Sizya, Vanroth Vann, Augustine Wasonga
Abstract
This study examines rates of potentially traumatic events and associated anxiety and emotional/behavioral difficulties among 1,258 orphaned and abandoned children in 5 low- and middle-income countries. The study quantifies the types of events the children experienced and demonstrates that anxiety and emotional/behavioral difficulties increase with additional exposure. As policies for orphaned and abandoned children are being implemented, this study helps policy makers and care providers recognize that (a) children and caregivers are willing to report experiences of potentially traumatic events, (b) those who report such events are at higher risk for experiencing additional events, (c) resulting symptomatology indicates a need for appropriate mental health services, and (d) boys are as vulnerable as girls, indicating an equal need for protection.
Copyright © 2011 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
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Source: PubMed