Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
Extensive research has shown that depression is a major health issue in South Africa and the world at large. Among those affected by the disorder are adolescents. Some of these adolescents are orphans. The increasing number in adult mortality due to the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic, accidents, wars and other causes has led to the current global orphan crisis. Although there is research on the topic of depression, there is insufficient research, if any, that focuses on depression among Grade six orphaned and non-orphaned adolescents. This research study was aimed at determining the risk factors that lead to symptoms of depression and the resilience factors that buffer against symptoms of depression among Grade six orphaned and non-orphaned adolescents. The researcher used the bio-ecological systems theory as a main theoretical framework of this study with a social constructivist paradigm. The study followed a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological research design. Data was collected using the Beck Youth Inventories (BYI)-II and semi-structured interviews: the researcher used the BYI-II to identify eight adolescents (four adolescents with high symptoms of depression and four adolescents with low symptoms of depression) to include them in the interviews. The aim of the interviews was to determine, in depth, the risk factors for symptoms of depression and the protective factors against symptoms of depression. Data was analysed using the general thematic analysis approach. The risk factors for symptoms of depression that emerged are low self-esteem, prolonged grief and lack of counselling, lack of financial support and changes associated with the adolescent’s stage of development. The resilience factors against symptoms of depression are positive support, a good social support network and financial support. Based on the findings the researcher makes several recommendations on how grade six orphaned learners who experience depression could be supported by educational psychologists.