Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Nov 19:6:28617.
doi: 10.3402/ejpt.v6.28617. eCollection 2015.

Neglect and perceived stigmatization impact psychological distress of orphans in Tanzania

Katharin Hermenau  1   2 , Ina Eggert  1 , Markus A Landolt  2   3   4 , Tobias Hecker  2   5
Affiliations

Neglect and perceived stigmatization impact psychological distress of orphans in Tanzania

Katharin Hermenau et al. Eur J Psychotraumatol. .

Abstract

Background: Research has shown that orphans in sub-Saharan Africa are at increased risk for mental health problems. Exposure to maltreatment and HIV/AIDS-related stigmatization are related to orphans' psychological distress. Yet, researchers stress the need for more research in low-income countries to identify which factors of being an orphan may lead to psychological distress.

Objectives: The present study aims to systematically investigate orphans' experiences of maltreatment and stigmatization to identify factors that relate to their psychological distress.

Methods: In total, 89 Tanzanian children who had lost at least one parent were compared to 89 matched non-orphans (mean age: 11 years; 51% boys). We measured exposure to maltreatment and perceived stigmatization as an orphan. Mental health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Children's Depression Inventory, the UCLA PTSD Index for Children, and the Reactive-Proactive Questionnaire.

Results: Orphans reported significantly more experiences of neglect, but not of abuse. A group comparison revealed more depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and aggressive behavior among orphans. Neglect, abuse, and stigmatization correlated with orphans' internalizing and externalizing problems, yet only neglect and stigmatization were related to orphans' depression severity. Perceived stigmatization moderated the relationship between neglect and depression.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that orphans in Tanzania are at increased risk of experiencing neglect. Maltreatment and perceived stigmatization may play a role in orphans' psychological distress. Culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions may help to prevent maltreatment and stigmatization of orphans.

Keywords: Orphans; maltreatment; mental health; neglect; stigmatization; sub-Saharan Africa.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Moderating effect of perceived stigmatization (low: −1 SD; high: +1 SD) on the relationship between neglect types and depressive symptom severity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Aiken L. S, West S. G. Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage; 1991.
    1. Atwine B, Cantor-Graae E, Bajunirwe F. Psychological distress among AIDS orphans in rural Uganda. Social Science & Medicine. 2005;61(3):555–564. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.12.018. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bray J. H, Maxwell S. E. Multivariate analysis of variance. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage; 1985.
    1. Brislin R. W, Lonner W. J, Thorndike R. M. Cross-cultural research methods. New York: Wiley; 1973.
    1. Cerel J, Fristad M. A, Verducci J, Weller R. A, Weller E. B. Childhood bereavement: Psychopathology in the 2 years postparental death. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2006;45(6):681–690. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.chi.0000215327.58799.05. - DOI - PubMed