Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
This study intended to identify the risk and resilience factors which contribute to depression
in HIV positive learners who are receiving Antiretroviral Therapy. A qualitative multiple
case study design was used, where 4 male and 4 female learners who were receiving their 3
months check-up and ARV’s participated in the data collection process. The data collection
process included the use of individual interviews, Incomplete Sentences and their artwork
(drawing of pictures or collages). Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis.
The data analysis process revealed three dominant risk factors and two dominant resilience
factors which contributed to the HIV positive learners’ depression levels. The risk factors
consisted of their psychological, social and educational experences and the resilience factors
consisted of their psychological and social experences. Recommendations based on these
findings were provided for educational psychologists to intervene at different levels of the
HIV positive children’s environments.
The data analysis revealed the following risk factors- psychological; negative feelings
towards their illness, anxiety regarding death and experiencing physical pain, social ; social
stigma, negative effects of ARV’s and inadequate family support ; and educational ; poor
academic performance due to absenteeism. The prominent psychological resilience factors
were ARV’s reduce anxiety regarding death and being sick and ARV’s reducing physical
pain improves emotional functioning, while the social factors were not disclosing their HIV
status and emotional family support. No educational resilience factors emerged in this study.
Based on the findings several recommendations are made for how educational psychologists
could support HIV positive children who take ARV’s.