Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Resilience Among Zimbabwean Youths with Orphanhood

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Youth Resilience and Culture

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 11))

Abstract

The experience of orphanhood is associated with multiple stressors, including the disintegration of the immediate family, changes in living arrangements, access to material resources, and alternative carer relationships. However, orphanhood also presents opportunities for personal growth and development. The resilience processes of Zimbabwean teenagers with orphanhood are incompletely understood. This chapter reports on a survey with 18 such youth to consider how these youth negotiate Ungar et al.’s seven tensions in a collectivist cultural context in which the extended family is the default primary care provider. Findings foreground that youths’ resilience processes are supported by a broad collectivistic cultural template rooted in extended family obligations and church belonging, that seemed to be similar for youth from rural and urban areas.

Reference to teenagers with orphanhood rather than orphaned teenagers is respectful of teenagers by placing the person before a social construction he/she may or may not identify with (see also Mpofu & Conyers, 2004).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ainsworth, M., & Filmer, D. (2002). Poverty, AIDS and children’s schooling: A targeting dilemma (Vol. 2885). Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akello, G., Reis, R., & Richters, A. (2010). Silencing distressed children in the context of war in northern Uganda: An analysis of its dynamics and its health consequences. Social Science and Medicine, 71(2), 213–220.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu, C., Gelfand, M. J., Yamagishi, T., Shteynberg, G., & Wan, C. (2010). Intersubjective culture: The role of intersubjective perceptions in cross-cultural research. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 482–493. doi:10.1177/1745691610375562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crea, T. M., Lombe, M., Robertson, L. A., Dumba, L., Mushati, P., Makoni, J. C., & … Gregson, S. (2012). Asset ownership among households caring for orphans and vulnerable children in rural Zimbabwe: The influence of ownership on children’s health and social vulnerabilities. AIDS Care, 25(1), 126–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • CYC Net. (2004). Street children vulnerable to AIDS. Retrieved May 6, 2014, from http://www.cyc-net.org/features/ft-streetchildren.html

  • Foster, G., Makufa, C., Drew, R., Kambeu, S., & Saurombe, K. (1996). Supporting children in need through a community-based orphan visiting programme. AIDS Care, 8(4), 389–403. doi:10.1080/09540129540129650125597.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilborn, L., Apicella, L., Brakarsh, J., Dube, L., Jemison, K., Kluckow, M., … & Snider, L. (2006). Orphans and vulnerable youth in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: An exploratory study of psychosocial well-being and psychosocial support programs. Washington, DC: Population Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, J., & Haidt, J. (2010). Beyond beliefs: Religions bind individuals into moral communities. Personality Social Psychology Review, 14(1), 140–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gundersen, C., Kelly, T., & Jemison, K. (2004). The demand for education for orphans in Zimbabwe. Forum paper for African development and poverty reduction. The macromicro linkage. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University and Development Policy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallfors, D., Cho, S., Iritani, B., Mapfumo, J., Mpofu, E., Luseno, W., & January, J. (2012). Preventing HIV by providing support for orphan girls to stay in school: Does religion matter? Ethnicity and Health, 18(1), 53–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, M. A., Donald, D. R., Theron, L. C., & Lyon, R. C. (2014). AIDS in South Africa: Therapeutic interventions to strengthen resilience among orphans and vulnerable children. School Psychology International, 35(3), 309–337. doi:10.1177/0143034314529912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JIMAT Development Consultants. (2010). Programme of support for the National Action Plan for orphans and vulnerable children: Outcome assessment, Final report. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/evaluation/files/Zimbabwe_2010-002_PoS_Outcome_Assessment_Final_19_May_10.pdf

  • Mathambo, V., & Gibbs, A. (2009). Extended family child care arrangements in a context of AIDS: Collapse or adaptation. AIDS Care, 21(S1), 22–27. doi:10.1080/09540120902942949.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mhaka-Mutepfa, M., Cumming, R., & Mpofu, E. (2014). Grandparents fostering orphans: Influences of protective factors on their health and wellbeing. Health Care for Women International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. (2012). National action plan for orphans and vulnerable children 2004–2010. Retrieved from http://www.africanchildforum.org/clr/policy%20per%20country/zimbabwe/zimbabwe_ovc_2004-2010_en.pdf

  • Mpofu, E. (1994). Counsellor role perceptions and preferences of Zimbabwe teachers of a Shona cultural background. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 7(3), 311–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mpofu, E., Chireshe, R., & Gwirayi, P. (2014). Adolescence in Zimbabwe. In J. Arnett (Ed.), Encyclopaedia of adolescence. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mpofu, E., & Conyers, L. M. (2004). A representational theory perspective of minority status and people with disabilities: Implications for rehabilitation education and practice. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 47, 142–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mpofu, E., Dune, T. M., Hallfors, D. D., Mapfumo, J., Mutepfa, M. M., & January, J. (2010). Apostolic faith organization contexts for health and wellbeing in women and children. Ethnicity and Health, 13, 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mpofu, E., Hallfors, D. D., & Mutepfa, M. (2014). A mixed methods mapping of church versus secular school messages to influence sexual decision-making as perceived by Zimbabwean orphan girl students. Journal of Mixed-Methods Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mpofu, E., Mutepfa, M. M., & Hallfors, D. D. (2012). Mapping structural influences on sex and HIV education in church and secular schools in Zimbabwe. Evaluation and the Health Professions, 35(3), 346–359.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mutepfa-Mhaka, M. (2010). Types of services for children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Results and implications of a Zimbabwean study. International Journal of Psychology and Counselling, 2(6), 100–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutepfa-Mhaka, M., Phasha, N., Mpofu, E., Tschombe, T., Mwamwenda, T., Kizito, S., & Folotiya-Jere, J. (2008). Child-headed households in sub-Saharan Africa. In T. Maundeni, L. L. Levers, & G, Jacques (Eds.), Changing family systems: A global perspective (pp. 328–361). Gaborone, Botswana: Bay Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • National AIDS Council Zimbabwe. (2002). AIDS in Africa during the nineties: Zimbabwe: Review and analysis of survey and research results. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Centre, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, A., Rose, R., & Bobak, M. (2010). Associations between different dimensions of religious involvement and self-rated health in diverse European populations. Health Psychology, 29(2), 227–235.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nyamukapa, C. A., Gregson, S., Wambe, M., Mushore, P., Lopman, B., Mupambireyi, Z., & Jukes, M. C. H. (2010). Causes and consequences of psychological distress among orphans in eastern Zimbabwe. AIDS Care, 22(8), 988–996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyamukapa, C., Foster, G., & Gregson, S. (2003). Orphans’ household circumstances and access to education in a maturing HIV epidemic in eastern Zimbabwe. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 18, 7–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saroglou, V. (2011). Religiosity, bonding, behaving and belonging: The big four religious dimensions and cultural variation. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42(8), 1320–1340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serpell, R. (2011). Social responsibility as a dimension of intelligence, and as an educational goal: Insights from programmatic research in an African society. Child Development Perspectives, 5, 126–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanga, P. T. (2008). Female headed households in Cameroon. In T. Maundeni, L. L. Levers, & G. Jacques (Eds.), Changing family systems: A global perspective (pp. 288–311). Gaborone, Botswana: Bay Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theron, L. C. (2013). Black students’ recollections of pathways to resilience: Lessons for school psychologists. School Psychology International, 34(5), 527–539. doi:10.1177/0143034312472762.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNAIDS. (2011). Zimbabwe-UNIAIDS. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from http://www.unaids.org/en/Regionscountries/Countries/Zimbabwe/

  • UNAIDS, UNICEF & USAID. (2010). Protecting Africa’s future: Livelihood-based social protection for – FAO in Children on the brink. Retrieved September 9, 2013, from www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/tc/tce/pdf/REOSA_Brief1__May2010.pdf

  • Ungar, M., Brown, M., Liebenberg, L., Othman, R., Kong, W.M., Armstrong, M., & Gilgun, J. (2007). Unique pathways to resilience across cultures. Journal of Adolescence, 42, 287–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNICEF. (2004). Children in residential care: The Zimbabwean experience. Retrieved from www.crin.org/…/BCN%20-%20Children%20in%20Residential%20Care%

    Google Scholar 

  • UNICEF. (2012). Process and impact evaluation of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) in Zimbabwe. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/evaldatabase/files/BEAM_Evaluation_Final_Report.pdf

  • Ushamba, A., & Mupedziswa, R. (2008). A generation on the edge of a precipice: HIV/AIDS and child-headed households in Zimbabwe. In T. Maundeni, L. L. Levers, & G. Jacques (Eds.), Changing family systems: A global perspective (pp. 312–327). Gaborone, Botswana: Bay Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, E. U., & Morris, M. W. (2010). Culture and judgment and decision making: The constructivist turn. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 410–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, K., Aggleton, P., & Chase, E. (2006). Is this ‘coping’? Survival strategies of orphans and vulnerable children and young people in Zimbabwe. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 21(1), 85–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zagheni, E. (2011). The impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on kinship resources in Zimbabwe. Population Development Review, 37(4), 761–783.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Elias Mpofu

  2. Psychology Department, Women’s University of Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Nancy Ruhode

  3. Student Affairs, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa

  4. Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    James January

  5. Department of Educational Foundations, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe

    John Mapfumo

Authors
  1. Elias Mpofu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nancy Ruhode
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. James January
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. John Mapfumo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elias Mpofu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

    Linda C. Theron

  2. Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Linda Liebenberg

  3. Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Michael Ungar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mpofu, E., Ruhode, N., Mhaka-Mutepfa, M., January, J., Mapfumo, J. (2015). Resilience Among Zimbabwean Youths with Orphanhood. In: Theron, L., Liebenberg, L., Ungar, M. (eds) Youth Resilience and Culture. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9415-2_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation