Orphan status, HIV risk behavior, and mental health among adolescents in rural Kenya

• Published in: Journal of pediatric psychology Vol. 37; no. 8; pp. 868 - 878
• Main Authors: Puffer, Eve S, Drabkin, Anya S, Stashko, Allison L, Broverman, Sherryl A, Ogwang-Odhiambo, Rose A, Sikkema, Kathleen J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Caregivers; Child; Child, Orphaned - psychology; Communication; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Kenya; Male; Mental Health; Parental Death; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; Rural Health; Rural Population; Self Efficacy; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data; Social Support; Socioeconomic Factors; Special Section: Families, Culture, and Health Outcomes; Kenya
• ISSN: 0146-8693; 1465-735X
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jss077

To examine orphan status, mental health, social support, and HIV risk among adolescents in rural Kenya. Randomly selected adolescents aged 10-18 years completed surveys assessing sexual activity, sex-related beliefs and self-efficacy, mental health, social support, caregiver-child communication, time since parental death, and economic resources. Analysis of covariance and regression analyses compared orphans and nonorphans; orphan status was tested as a moderator between well-being and HIV risk. Orphans reported poorer mental health, less social support, and fewer material resources. They did not differ from nonorphans on HIV risk indicators. Longer time since parental death was associated with poorer outcomes. In moderator analyses, emotional problems and poorer caregiver-youth communication were more strongly associated with lower sex-related self-efficacy for orphans. Orphans are at higher risk for psychosocial problems. These problems may affect orphans' self-efficacy for safer sex practices more than nonorphans. Decreased HIV risk could be one benefit of psychosocial interventions for orphans.