Citation

Sutherland SC, Shannon HS, Ayuku D, Streiner DL, Saarela O, Atwoli L, Braitstein P. Vulnerable Child. Youth Stud. 2022; 17(2): 165-179.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17450128.2022.2067381

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The relationships between care environment, resilience, and social factors in orphaned and separated adolescents and youths (OSAY) in western Kenya are complex and under-studied.Survey responses from OSAY living in Charitable Children's Institutes (CCI) and family-based care settings (FBS) in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya were used to examine the associations between 1) care environment and resilience; 2) care environment and factors thought to promote resilience (e.g. social, family, and peer support); and 3) resilience and these same resilience-promoting factors, using multivariable linear and logistic regressions. This cross-sectional study included 1202 OSAY (50.4% female) aged 10-26 (mean = 16; SD = 3.5). The mean resilience score in CCIs was 71 (95%CI = 69-73) vs. 64 (95%CI = 62-66) in FBS. OSAY in CCIs had higher resilience (β = 7.67; 95%CI = 5.26-10.09), social support (β = 0.26; 95%CI = 0.14-0.37), and peer support (β = 0.90; 95%CI = 0.64-1.17) than those in FBS. OSAY in CCIs were more likely to volunteer than those in FBS (OR = 3.72; 95%CI = 1.80-7.68), except in the male subgroup. Family (β = 0.42; 95%CI = 0.24-0.60), social (β = 4.19; 95%CI = 2.53-5.85), and peer (β = 2.13; 95%CI = 1.44-2.83) relationships were positively associated with resilience in all analyses. Volunteering was positively associated with resilience (β = 5.85; 95%CI = 1.51-10.19). The factor most strongly related to resilience in both fully adjusted models was peer support. This study found a strong relationship between care environment and resilience. Care environment and resilience each independently demonstrated strong relationships with peer support, social support, and participating in volunteer activities. Resilience also had a strong relationship with familial support. These data suggest that resilience can be developed through strategic supports to this vulnerable population.Abbreviations: 95%CI - 95% Confidence intervalAMPATH - Academic Model Providing Access to HealthcareCASSS - Child and Adolescent Social Support ScaleCCI - Charitable Children's InstitutesCTQ - Childhood Trauma QuestionnaireFBS - Family-based care settingICAST-CH - ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool for Children a HomeMSPSS - Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social SupportMTRH - Moi Teaching and Referral HospitalMU - Moi UniversityOSAY - Orphaned and separated adolescents and youthsOSCAR - Orphaned and Separated Children's Assessments Related to Their Health and Well-BeingOR - Odds ratioRS14 - Resilience ScaleSD - Standard deviationSDQ - Strengths and Difficulties QuestionnaireSE - Standard ErrorUG - Uasin Gishu

Language: en

Keywords

environment; Kenya; orphans; peer; Resilience; social support