Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond

  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue: 1

Two-year assessment of mental and physical health of OVCs in a residential care organisation: duke srtp India report

  • Author:
  • Chaarushi Ahuja1, Parth Chodavadia1,, Komal Kinger1, Joseph Levy1, Sumedha Gupta Ariely2
  • Total Page Count: 19
  • Page Number: 10 to 28

1Student, Equal Contribution Listing, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

2Assistant Professor, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

Abstract

Orphaned and separated children (OSC) tend to have worse mental health outcomes compared to non-OSC peers. The purpose of this longitudinal study is to help better understand mental health outcomes within a population of OSC children of a residential care programme in New Delhi, India. Children were randomly selected across 11 group homes in 2014 (N = 89) and 2015 (N = 82) and interviewed for measures of self-concept, peer and guardian attachment, self-concept, depression, ego-resiliency and trauma symptoms. To understand the impact of a residential care programme on OSC children after coming of age, aftercare/alumni members (N = 32) were also interviewed in 2015. Descriptive mental health patterns are discussed as well as recommended for service application and further study.

Keywords

Vulnerable populations, Orphan mental health, Attachment, Trauma, Residential care, Institutional care, Youth transitions