Understanding the Psychosocial Well-being of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC): The Intersection of Research and Policy

Abstract

This paper identifies the demographic and behavioral predictors that influence the psychosocial health of orphans. A study was conducted using data from 1,851 children across six sites in Cambodia, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and Tanzania, who are enrolled in the Positive Outcomes for Orphans Study (POFO). The quantitative analysis found that maternal orphans, double orphans, and children who engage in labor outside of the home were particularly vulnerable to psychosocial distress. In addition, the multivariate models showed that variations in site and living arrangements were significantly associated with the subjects’ psychosocial outcomes. By synthesizing these findings with literature on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), this paper recommends forging an international framework for psychosocial programming and tailoring country-level programs to address the individual, social, and cultural predictors of psychosocial distress.