HORIZONS PROJECT
Orphans and Vulnerable Youth in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: An Exploratory Study of Psychosocial Well-being and Psychosocial Support Programs

This study began in June 2003 with formative research conducted with youth and adults working with youth to determine local concepts, manifestations, and domains of well-being among youth. This information was used to draft a quantitative survey that was administered to a cross-sectional sample of 1,258 orphans and vulnerable youth, ages 14–20, from September 2003 to February 2004. All of the youth fell into either three intervention groups, or a comparison group that had no exposure to any of the interventions.

Key findings include:

• Youth reported high levels of exposure to traumatic events and daily life stress.
• Indications of psychosocial distress were widespread.
• Social support for vulnerable youth was inconsistent.
• Psychosocial distress was associated with trauma, daily life stress, and lack of social support.
• Most youth showed signs of psychosocial well-being and resilience, but a substantial minority was particularly vulnerable.
• Females reported more trauma, stress, and psychosocial distress than males.
• Orphanhood was associated with greater stress, isolation, and psychosocial distress.
• Despite greater exposure to trauma and levels of psychosocial distress, older respondents showed greater signs of strength than younger respondents.
• Psychosocial distress and well-being can co-exist.
• Participation in a psychosocial support intervention was associated with greater self-confidence among males.
• Respondents in each of the three intervention groups reported more psychosocial distress than youth in the comparison group.

Local dissemination of study findings has led to review and modification of program approaches.

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Location

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Duration

November 2003–June 2004

Horizons and Population Council researchers

Lewis Ndhlovu, Louis Apicella

Non-Council collaborators

Kyle Jemison (Catholic Relief Services/Support to Replicable, Innovative, Village/community-level Efforts)

Jonathan Brakarsh, Linda Dube, Mark Kluckow, Tricia Smith, Leslie Snider (Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative for Children Affected by AIDS, Poverty, and Conflict)

Hope for a Child in Christ

Salvation Army

Donors

US Agency for International Development

Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development

Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative for Children Affected by AIDS, Poverty, and Conflict 

Swedish International Development Agency

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Publications/Resources
Horizons and Population Council researchers' names appear in boldface type. 

2006
Gilborn, Laelia, Lou Apicella, Jonathan Brakarsh, Linda Dube, Kyle Jemison, Mark Kluckow, Tricia Smith, and Leslie Snider. “Orphans and vulnerable youth in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: An exploratory study of psychosocial well-being and psychosocial support,” Horizons Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF)

2005
Clarke, Alison. "Providing psychosocial support to AIDS-affected children: Operations research informs programs in Zimbabwe and Rwanda," Horizons Report, June. Washington, DC: Population Council. (Contact horizons@popcouncil.org for a copy)

"Utilizing the research: Zimbabwe groups discuss and apply the findings," Horizons Report, June. Washington, DC: Population Council. (Contact horizons@popcouncil.org for a copy)

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See Also

• Zimbabwe

• Horizons Program

• FRONTIERS Program

• HIV and AIDS

• HIV and AIDS/Consequences for Individuals, Families, and Society

• HIV and AIDS/Orphans and Vulnerable Children

• HIV and AIDS/Youth

• Transitions to Adulthood

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