Understanding the burden of COVID-19 orphanhood and caregiver loss among children and adolescents living in South Africa

Christina Laurenzi, Ramsha Hisham, Tatenda Mawoyo, Kathryn J. Steventon Roberts, Lucie Cluver, Mark Tomlinson and Lorraine Sherr

Children and Youth Services Review, 2025, vol. 178, issue C

Abstract: While caregiver loss is known to have significant repercussions for the wellbeing and developmental trajectories of children and adolescents, limited evidence has examined the impact of orphanhood due to COVID-19 on children and adolescents. To respond to this gap and support better planning for future crises, we examined the short-term impacts of COVID-19-related orphanhood on children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing through the Orphanhood and Caregiver Loss Among Adolescents and Youth (OCAY) study. No such studies exist globally and this provides a unique insight into this hidden group. We hypothesised that there would be multiple mental health impacts on children experiencing such loss.

Keywords: Child mental health; Orphanhood; Caregiver loss; Resilience; Risk factors; Policy responses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:178:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925003998

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108516

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