The Psychosocial Experiences of Orphan Children in Gog Woreda in Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2017-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The major purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychosocial experiences
of orphan children in Pinyudo town in Gambella Regional State. The study employed
phenomenological research design to describe common themes from the experiences that
identify the phenomenon. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources.
The participants of this study were orphan children between ages of 12-17 years. Data
were collected using interview and FGD as tools. Interview was carried out with 12
orphan children from four Kebeles in Pinyudo town. Four male and eight female orphan
children took part in the interview individually. During FGD sixteen orphan children
participated in two groups in which each group composed of eight individuals.
Purposive sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Qualitative data
analysis approach was employed. Data analysis process was done through five stages.
First, bracketing units; second, delineating units of meaning; third clustering of units of
meaning to form themes; fourth, summary of each interview was done; fifth, extracting
general and unique themes from all the interview and composite summary was made.
Trustworthiness was confirmed for ensuring the rigor of the findings by using
comfirmability. Orphan children indeed have hostile psychosocial experiences. It was
found that orphan children suffered worse psychosocial situations. Participants strongly
reported grievances, sorrows, isolations, despondencies, mourning and overthinking both
during and after death of their parents. Poor interpersonal experiences were highly
observed from the participants. Orphan children’s perception of self-esteem was found
to be low. Mistreatment by primary caretakers/surviving parents was strongly reported
by a number of the participants. The present study has identified lack of psychosocial
support from individuals, community governments and non-governmental organizations.x
Coping mechanism orphans comprises both adaptive and maladaptive was of coping.
And finally based on the findings and
conclusions some recommendations were
forwarded to the district where this study was conducted in: Orphan children should be
provided with special child guidance and counselling program in Gog Woreda; Offering
early warning of psychological condition at district level should be considered; The
woreda (district) council should recruit qualified community social workers at district
level to enhance interpersonal experiences and self-esteem of orphan children; Child
psychologists should be employed in each Kebele of Pinyudo town to help orphans cope
with orphan hood challenges; Government should recruit personnel who have the skills
to assess psycho-social problems and provide counselling services to orphan children in
need; Rule governing child protection should be effectively implemented to alleviate child
abuse practices; and Community should establish an organization that should aim at
supporting
orphans
children
psychologically,
socially
and
educationally
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The Psychosocial Experiences Gog Woreda in Gambella