Psychosocial Support

The best form of psychosocial support is a healthy family and supportive environment, preferably in the child's community of origin, or one that is culturally similar. Psychosocial well-being is a product of multiple support, which is rooted in the ability to form healthy relationships and participate in community networks.

However, certain considerations may be required in order to help children and caretakers come to terms with life-changing events, such as the loss of a parent. Separation can be highly stressful for children, particularly if it is unexpected, or repeated. Some children may experience anxiety, attachment problems, sleep disturbances, dependency issues, regression, and a range of other behavioural issues which threaten their mental health and development.

Specific types of support may be required for children suffering from loss, severe or chronic ill health, abuse or exploitation. The child’s experience, age, resilience, and the level of support received from the family and community will determine if a child needs external services. A child is far less likely to experience psychosocial stress if they have good natural support mechanisms and therefore protection efforts should focus on supporting families and communities to help each other.

When psychosocial support is needed, an assessment is important in determining the scope and type of issues, the existing family and community resources, and analysis of how these can be strengthened. Clinical mental health interventions such as therapy, psychiatry or psychological counseling, should only be provided by trained professionals after a clinical assessment and, in all cases, should be culturally relevant.

Psychosocial activities must promote the children’s development and their relationships with others, re-establish routines, increase self confidence and sense of control over their lives. Children’s activities, such as the provision of safe places, group work or referrals to specialists, should be designed around the child’s individual needs, age, gender, and cultural identity. Interventions should be empowering, inclusive, and fully integrated with wider community efforts. Children’s participation is essential in psychosocial work; children should be encouraged to express their opinions, and to have these taken into account.

The literature found here describes the psychosocial effects of separation, and other threats to children such as HIV/AIDS, conflict, abuse and exploitation, and provides guidance and examples of psychosocial interventions.

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Navigating support, resilience, and care: Exploring the impact of informal social networks on the rehabilitation and care of young female survivors of sexual violence in northern Uganda

Stark, Lindsay; Landis, Debbie; Thomson, Blake; Potts, Alina Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Vol 22(3), 01 Aug 2016

This study examines the experiences of young female survivors of sexual violence in northern Uganda in order to explore the variety of roles (both positive and negative) that informal support networks played in contributing to survivors’ healing, recovery, and reintegration.

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Fighting for the Forgotten: Risk and Resilience of Children and Families Involved with the Foster Care System

Deborah Shropshire, Amanda Williams Affiliated with University of Southern Mississippi, Lauren Burge, Larissa Hines – Springer Link, 30 Jul 2016

This article discusses how the resilience of foster children can be increassed, and their outcomes changed through the responsible and intentional interventions of health care professionals, child welfare workers, and communities.

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Well-Being, Psychosocial Problems and Social Interaction Anxiety in Children

Budithi Sushma, Gadiraju Padmaja, Swati Agarwal, 01 Jul 2016

This study assesses the effects of institutional care on social interaction anxiety in children and further assesses the role of social interaction anxiety in emotional and behavioral problems in children.

The role of carers in supporting the progress of care leavers in the world of work

Robbie Gilligan andLaura Arnau-Sabatés, Child and Family Social Work, 07 Jun 2016

The aim of this component of a preliminary cross-national study (Ireland and Catalonia) of care leavers' experience in the world of work is to explore how carers may influence the entry of young people in care into the world of work and how they may also influence the young people's progress in that world.

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A conceptual model of psychosocial adjustment of foster care adoptees based on a scoping review of contributing factors

Andrea del Pozo de Bolger, Debra Dunstan and Melissa Kaltner - Clinical Psychologist, 28 May 2016

The purpose of this article is to provide psychologists and adoption researchers with a conceptual model for the psychosocial adjustment of foster care adoptees with a background of maltreatment.

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Who Is There For Me? Evaluating the Social Support Received by Adolescent Girls Transitioning From Institutional Care in Zimbabwe

Pamhidzayi Berejena Mhongera & Antoinette Lombard - , 16 May 2016

Using the DFID sustainable livelihood approach, this qualitative study evaluated the social capital being accessed by adolescent girls transitioning from two institutions in Harare, Zimbabwe.

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Assessment of Adjustment Problems among Adolescents Residing in Orphanage

Thampi Anju, Sreejamol M G, Joy Febu Elizabeth – Indian Journal, 06 May 2016

This study was aimed to identify adjustment problems of adolescents residing in an orphanage in Kerala, India, as well as to find out the association between adjustment problems of adolescents residing at orphanage with their socio-demographic variables.

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Adopted Youth in Residential Care: Prevalence Rate and Professional Training Needs

David Brodzinsky, John Santa & Susan Livingston Smith - Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 18 Apr 2016

In this study, clinical program directors from 59 residential treatment facilities in the US responded to an online survey addressing the representation of adopted youth currently being served by their organization, the extent to which adoption issues are incorporated into clinical intake and treatment processes, and the training needs of clinical staff related to adoption.

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Adopted Youth in Residential Care: Prevalence Rate and Professional Training Needs

David Brodzinsky, John Santa & Susan Livingston Smith - Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 18 Apr 2016

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The Buffering Role of Social Support on the Psychosocial Wellbeing of Orphans in Rwanda

Tehetna Alemu Caserta, Raija‐Leena Punamäki, & Anna‐Maija Pirttilä‐Backman - , 28 Mar 2016

This study examined (1) how perceived social support (PSS) varied across orphan‐related characteristics (e.g., orphan status, such as single, maternal or paternal, and their living environments, such as in child‐headed households, on the street, in an orphanage or in a foster home) and (2) the relative importance of sources of PSS (relatives/community/adults and peers) and functional social support (emotional/informational/instrumental and social) and its association with emotional well‐being and mental distress.

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