Hiv/Aids, Orphans and Mental Health

This book critically presents the link between parental HIV/AIDS status and death, and Mental Health among African Orphans. HIV infected individuals and families have to deal with the stigma and discrimination attached in some communities to being HIV positive. Partners, family and friends, may experience psychological stress from having to nurse sick relatives and deal with multiple deaths. The main purpose of this book is to increase knowledge of the relationship between parental HIV/AIDS and mental health in young people and to highlight the need for psychosocial support for such children. The Book begins with a description of the global AIDS pandemic, addresses some relevant theoretical frameworks, presents current research knowledge on psychosocial risks and resilience among orphans of AIDS, then discusses findings from a Ghanaian survey among orphans well-being. This is followed by a further discussion of the psychiatric and psychological disorders associated with parental HIV/AIDS that orphans face. The book then concludes with a discussion of theoretical relevance, suggested policy recommendations and an outline of the implications of failing to address these disorders.