Posttraumatic stress symptoms among adults caring for orphaned children in HIV-endemic South Africa.

Journal article

There is growing evidence that mental health is a significant issue among families affected by AIDS-related parental deaths. The current study examined posttraumatic stress symptoms and identified risk factors among adults caring for AIDS-orphaned and other-orphaned children in an HIV-endemic South African community. A representative community sample of adults caring for children (N = 1,599) was recruited from Umlazi Township. Of the 116 participants who reported that a traumatic event was still bothering them, 19 % reported clinically significant posttraumatic stress symptoms. Of the 116 participants, caregivers of AIDS-orphaned and other-orphaned children were significantly more likely to meet threshold criteria for PTSD (28 %) compared to caregivers of non-orphaned children (10 %). Household receipt of an old age pension was identified as a possible protective factor for PTSD symptoms among caregivers of orphaned children. Services are needed to address PTSD symptoms among caregivers of orphaned children.

Authors: Kuo, C; Reddy, M; Operario, D; Cluver, L; Stein, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: AIDS and Behavior
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1755-1763
• Publication date: 2013-06-01
• DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0461-9
• EISSN: 1573-3254
• ISSN: 1090-7165
• Language: English
• Keywords: caregivers; posttraumatic stress; South Africa; HIV; orphans