Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Inverse association of natural mentoring relationship with distress mental health in children orphaned by AIDS

Authors: Francis N Onuoha, Tsunetsugu Munakata

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The magnitude of the AIDS-orphaned children crisis in sub-Saharan Africa has so overstretched the resource of most families that the collapse of fostering in the sub-region seems imminent (UNICEF, 2003), fueling the need for a complementary/alternative care. This paper examines the probability of the natural mentoring care to ameliorate distress mental health in children orphaned by AIDS.

Methods

952 children, mean age about 14 years, from local community schools and child-care centers in Kampala (Uganda) and Mafikeng/Klerksdorp (South Africa) towns participated in the study. The design has AIDS-orphaned group (n = 373) and two control groups: Other-causes orphaned (n = 287) and non-orphaned (n = 290) children. We use measures of child abuse, depression, social discrimination, anxiety, parental/foster care, self-esteem, and social support to estimate mental health. Natural mentoring care is measured with the Ragins and McFarlin (1990) Mentor Role Instrument as adapted.

Results

AIDS-orphaned children having a natural mentor showed significant decreased distress mental health factors. Similar evidence was not observed in the control groups. Also being in a natural mentoring relationship inversely related to distress mental health factors in the AIDS-orphaned group, in particular. AIDS-orphaned children who scored high mentoring relationship showed significant lowest distress mental health factors that did those who scored moderate and low mentoring relationship.

Conclusions

Natural mentoring care seems more beneficial to ameliorate distress mental health in AIDS-orphaned children (many of whom are double-orphans, having no biological parents) than in children in the control groups.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Furukawa T, Yokouchi T, Hirai T, Kitamura T, Takahashi K: Parental loss in childhood and social support in adulthood among psychiatric patients. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 1999, 33: 165-169. 10.1016/S0022-3956(98)00054-5.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Paris J, Zweig-Frank H, Guzder J: Risk factors for borderline personality in male outpatients. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 1994, 182: 375-380.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Tweed JL, Schoenbach VJ, George LK, Blazer DG: The effects of childhood parental death and divorce on six-month history of anxiety disorders. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1989, 154: 823-828. 10.1192/bjp.154.6.823.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Canetti L, Bachar E, Bonne O, Agid O, Lerer B, De-Nour AK, Shalev AY: The impact of parental death versus separation from parents on the mental health of Israeli adolescents. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2000, 41: 360-368. 10.1053/comp.2000.9002.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Scroufe LA, Carlson EA, Levy AK, Egeland B: Implications of attachment theory for developmental psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology. 1999, 11: 1-13. 10.1017/S0954579499001923.CrossRef
6.
Turnbull AP, Turnbull HR: Families, Professionals, and Exceptionality: Collaborating for Empowerment. 2001, Marrill, Prentice-Hall, Columbus, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
7.
8.
Mbozi PS, Debit MB, Munyati S, Eds: Psychosocial conditions of orphans and vulnerable children in two Zimbabwean Districts. 2006, HSRC Press, Cape Town, South Africa
9.
Abebe T, Aase A: Children, AIDS and the politics of orphans care in Ethiopia: The extended family revisited. Social Science & Medicine. 2007, 64: 2058-2069. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.02.004.CrossRef
10.
Kendler KS, Neale MC, Kessler RC, Heath AC, Eaves LJ: Childhood parental loss and adult psychopathology in women: a twin study perspective. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1992, 49: 109-116.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Chitiyo M, Changara DM, Chitiyo G: Providing psychosocial support to special needs children: A case of orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Educational Development. 2007,
12.
Cluver LD, Gardner F, Operario D: Effects of stigma on the mental health of adolescents orphaned by AIDS. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2008, 42 (4): 410-10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.022.CrossRefPubMed
13.
UNAIDS, UNICEF, USAID: Children on the Brink 2004. A Joint Report on New Orphan Estimates and a Framework for Action. 2004, UNAIDS, UNICEF, & USAID, 1-42.
14.
Subbarao K, Mattimore A, Plangemann K: Social protection of Africa's orphans and other vulnerable children: issues and good practice program options. AFR HD working paper. 2001
15.
Isiugo-Abanihe CU: Child fosterage in West Africa. Population and Development Review. 11: 53-73. 10.2307/1973378.
16.
Goody E: Parenthood and social reproduction: Fostering and occupational roles in West Africa. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press
17.
Deininger K, Garcia M, Subbarao K: AIDS-induced orphanhood as a systemic shock: magnitude, impact, and program interventions in Africa. World Development. 2003, 321 (7): 1201-1220. 10.1016/S0305-750X(03)00061-5.CrossRef
18.
UNICEF: Africa's orphaned generations. 2003, New York: UNICEF
19.
Sipe CL: Mentoring programs for adolescents: A research summary. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2002, 31: 251-260. 10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00498-6.CrossRefPubMed
20.
DuBois DL, Silverthorn N: Natural mentoring relationships and adolescent health: Evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health. 2005, 95 (3): 518-524. 10.2105/AJPH.2003.031476.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
Rhodes JE, Ebert L, Fischer K: Natural mentors: an overlooked resource in the social networks of young, African American mothers. American Journal of Community Psychology. 1992, 20 (4): 445-460. 10.1007/BF00937754.CrossRef
22.
Beam MR, Chen C, Greenberger E: The nature of adolescents' relationships with their 'very important' nonparental adults. American Journal of Community Psychology. 2002, 32 (2): 305-325. 10.1023/A:1014641213440.CrossRef
23.
Beier SR, Rosenfeld WD, Spitalny KC, Zansky SM, Bontempo AN: The potential role of an adult mentor in influencing high-risk behaviors in adolescents. Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine. 2000, 154: 327-331.CrossRef
24.
Rhodes JE, Contreras JM, Mangelsdorf SC: Natural mentor relationships among Latina adolescent mothers: psychological adjustment, moderating processes, and the role of early parental acceptance. Am J Community Psychology. 1994, 22: 211-227. 10.1007/BF02506863.CrossRef
25.
Zimmerman MA, Bingenheimer JB, Notaro PC: Natural mentors and adolescent resiliency: A study with urban youth. American Journal of Community Psychology. 2002, 30: 221-243. 10.1023/A:1014632911622.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Limber S, Flekkoy S: The UN convention on the rights of the child: Its relevance for social scientists. Social Policy Report. 1995, Ann Arbor, Michigan: Society for Research in Child Development, 9 (2):
27.
Children's Participation in Research: Reflections from the Care and Protection of Separated Children in Emergencies Project. 2003, Stockholm: Save the Children Sweden
28.
29.
Hosegood V, Vanneste A, Timaeus I: Levels and causes of adult mortality in rural South Africa: the impact of AIDS. AIDS. 2004, 5 (18): 663-71. 10.1097/00002030-200403050-00011.CrossRef
30.
Goldberg DP, Hillier VF: A scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire. Psychological Medicine. 1979, 9: 139-145. 10.1017/S0033291700021644.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Weissman NM, Orvaschel H, Padian N: Children's symptom and social functioning self-report scales: comparison of mothers' and children's reports. Journal of Nervous Mental Disorder. 1980, 168 (12): 736-40. 10.1097/00005053-198012000-00005.CrossRef
32.
Faulstich ME, Carey MP, Ruggiero L, Enyart P, Gresham F: Assessment of depression in childhood and adolescence: A evaluation of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). American Journal of Psychiatry. 1986, 143 (8): 1024-1027.CrossRefPubMed
33.
34.
Rosenberg M: Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. 1965, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University PressCrossRef
35.
Blascovich J, Tomaka J: Measures of self-esteem. Measures of personality and social psychological attitudes. Edited by: Robinson JP, Shaver PR, Wrightsman LS. 1991, San Diego, CA: Academic Press, I:
36.
Lorenzo-Hernandez J, Oullette SC: Ethnic identity, self-esteem, and values in Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and African Americans. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 1998, 28: 2007-2024. 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1998.tb01358.x.CrossRef
37.
38.
Bagley C, King K: Child sexual abuse: The search for healing. 1990, London: RoutledgeCrossRef
39.
Parker G, Tupling H, Brown LB: A parental bonding instrument. British Journal of Medical Psychology. 1979, 52: 1-10.CrossRef
40.
Neale MC, Walters E, Heath AC, Kessler RC, Perusse D, Eaves LJ, Kendler KS: Depression and parental bonding: cause, consequence, or genetic covariance?. Genetic Epidemiology. 1994, 11: 503-522. 10.1002/gepi.1370110607.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Ragins BR, McFarlin D: Perception of mentor roles in cross-gender mentoring relationships. Journal of Vocational Behavior. 1990, 37: 321-339. 10.1016/0001-8791(90)90048-7.CrossRef
42.
Ragins BR, Cotton JL: Mentor functions and outcomes: a comparison of men and women in formal and informal mentoring relationships. Journal of Applied Psychology. 1999, 84 (No.4): 529-550. 10.1037/0021-9010.84.4.529.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Wickrama KAS, Lorenz FO, Conger RD: Parental support and adolescent physical health status: A latent growth curve analysis. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 1997, 38: 149-163. 10.2307/2955422.CrossRefPubMed
44.
45.
Case A, Paxson C, Ableidinger J: Orphans in Africa: parental death poverty and school enrolment. Demography. 2004, 41 (No 3): 483-508. 10.1353/dem.2004.0019.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Bicego G, Shea R, Kiersten J: Dimensions of the emerging orphan crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. Social Science and Medicine. 56 (6): 1235-47.
47.
Suliman ED: HIV/AIDS effects on AIDS orphans in Tanzania. Working Paper. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University
48.
Lisanne B, Thurman TR, Snider L: Strengthening the psychosocial well-being of youth-headed households in Rwanda: Baseline findings from an intervention trial. Horizons Research Update. 2005, Washington, DC: Population Council
49.
World Health Organization: WHO/Euro Report of the Technical Consultation on Clinical Staging of HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS Case Definitions for Surveillance. 2005, Copenhagen: WHO
Metadata
Title
Inverse association of natural mentoring relationship with distress mental health in children orphaned by AIDS
Authors
Francis N Onuoha
Tsunetsugu Munakata
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-10-6

Other articles of this Issue 1/2010

BMC Psychiatry 1/2010 Go to the issue

Research article

The prevalence and correlates of adult separation anxiety disorder in an anxiety clinic

Research article

Ego defense mechanisms in Pakistani medical students: a cross sectional analysis

Research article

Universality of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) problem areas in Thai depressed patients

Research article

Effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotics: a naturalistic, randomized comparison of olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone

Research article

The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene and short term behavioral response to methylphenidate in children with ADHD

Study protocol

Study protocol: The development of a pilot study employing a randomised controlled design to investigate the feasibility and effects of a peer support program following discharge from a specialist first-episode psychosis treatment centre