Psychological challenges among Adolescents at Orphanages

Abstract

Orphaned adolescents at orphanages refer to the adolescents how lose one or both parents and live in orphanages. They are face many psychological challenges includes; anxiety, stress, self-esteem, self-efficacy and depression. Aim: This study was aimed to assess the psychological challenges among Adolescents at orphanages. Design: A descriptive design was used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at four orphanages in Cairo governorate. Sample: A convenient sample of 93 orphaned adolescents were participated from the above mentioned settings. Data collection tools: Tools used for data collection were 1): Socio-demographic data tool, 2): Orphans, Vulnerable-Adolescents Challenges scale. Results: the result of this study revealed that more than half of the orphaned adolescents had moderate anxiety, near half of them had moderate level of depression, more than two fifth of them had low stress and more than two fifth had moderate stress, more than half of them had moderate self-esteem and about two fifth of them had low self-esteem and more than two third of them had low self-efficacy. Conclusion: The most of psychological challenges among orphaned adolescents are achievement, success and the need for social appreciation. highest proportion of orphaned adolescent had moderate level of anxiety, depression, stress, and self-esteems and highest proportion of orphaned adolescent had low level of self-efficacy Recommendations: Psychosocial counseling program should be designed and implemented to orphan adolescents to improve their psychological status and adaptation.