Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
This research explores the psycho-educational and social factors that contribute to anxiety in orphaned adolescents in a secondary school in Welkom, Free State Province. Adolescent orphanhood is a worldwide phenomenon with a steady increase in South Africa. Orphanhood is caused by various factors, including the death or unavailability of the child’s parents. The absence of a parent means a reduction or lack of income, leading to an inability to acquire basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, education and healthcare. In addition, an adolescent is in a difficult developmental stage; a complex transition from childhood to adulthood, which includes varied wide-range of challenges. Being an orphan and an adolescent can lead to feelings of distress that may develop into anxiety. However, most research studies focus on physical needs and less on psychological, educational and social factors that contribute to anxiety in orphaned adolescents, in particular. Participants were purposefully selected from a mainstream secondary school in a sub-urban area in Welkom, Free State Province. This qualitative research study utilised a multiple case-study design in order to gain insight into eight cases of orphaned adolescents. These cases consisted of four boys and four girls, ranging between the ages of 11 and 14 years. A social constructivist paradigm guided the study. Data was collected through individual, semi-structured interviews, supplemented by the compilation of collages by the orphaned adolescents. A focus group discussion was also conducted in an attempt to elicit more depth with regards to some of the explored issues. Thematic analysis was utilised in order to analyse the gathered data. Three factors/themes contributing to the anxiety of adolescent orphans were identified, namely, psychological, educational and social factors. The psychological theme related to orphaned adolescent’s anxiety concerning death. The educational theme focused on anxiety regarding the teachers’ attitudes. The anxiety re economic survival, manner of grieving and isolation constituted the social theme. However, an additional theme, namely resilience and protective factors, emerged indicating that despite adversities, the participants were resilient. Based on these findings, as well as a bio-ecological systemsand social ontogenesis theoretical perspectives several psycho-educational and social interventions are recommended for supporting orphaned adolescents experiencing anxiety.