The Psychosocial Experiences of Orphan Children in Gog Woreda in Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia.
Yousif Gilo. OMOD &Tilahun Achaw (PhD)
Abstract
Given the current psychosocial situation of orphans in Ethiopia, their particular experiences attract less attention of researchers and humanitarian organizations, governments and general communities. Therefore, the major purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychosocial experiences of orphan children in Pinyudo town in Gambella Regional State. In order to achieve the objective of the study, phenomenological research design was employed. In this study, 16 orphan children were involved. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Semi-structured interview and focus group discussion were used to collect the relevant data. The data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis approach. Trustworthiness was confirmed for ensuring the rigor of the findings by using confirmability. The findings of the study suggested that orphan children faced a number of psychosocial problems. Grievances, sorrows, isolations, despondencies, mourning and over thinking both during and after death of their parents were the major problems reported by orphan children. Low self-esteem was also highly reported by orphans. Orphans used coping strategies that are classified as adaptive and maladaptive. Based on the major findings of the study, recommendations are forwarded.