A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South Africa

ABSTRACT Background The lack of a conceptual framework (CF) that can be utilized to manage the psychosocial well‐being of orphans and vulnerable children present a challenge in the Vhembe district, South Africa. Aim This article sought to provide a CF for psychosocial support of OVC in the Vhembe di...

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Main Authors: Livhuwani Precious Matshepete, Lufuno Makhado, Ntsieni Stella Mashau
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Public Health Challenges
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70045
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author Livhuwani Precious Matshepete
Lufuno Makhado
Ntsieni Stella Mashau
author_facet Livhuwani Precious Matshepete
Lufuno Makhado
Ntsieni Stella Mashau
author_sort Livhuwani Precious Matshepete
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background The lack of a conceptual framework (CF) that can be utilized to manage the psychosocial well‐being of orphans and vulnerable children present a challenge in the Vhembe district, South Africa. Aim This article sought to provide a CF for psychosocial support of OVC in the Vhembe district, South Africa using Practice‐Oriented Theory and Donabedian's structure Outcome Model features. Method The study incorporated a four‐phased research strategy using a multiphase mixed methods approach. An exploratory, descriptive design was used for the study. The practice‐oriented theory of Dickoff et al. and Donabedian's SPO model provided a starting point in the ultimate development of the framework. Data were collected from three sources, orphans and vulnerable children n = 34, to explore and describe the experiences conducted with community‐based workers working with orphaned and vulnerable children within the Vhembe district to explore possible approaches for psychosocial support towards orphans and vulnerable children n = 4, CBOS, and social workers n = 10 working with OVC in the Vhembe district to explore the possible approaches for psychosocial support towards OVC until data saturation. Results The study revealed that OVC faces many challenges including loss/absence of parents, living arrangements, deprivation and neglect, abuse and alienation. Challenges exist and this was confirmed by the qualitative findings with community‐based workers and social workers, including lack of resources, lack of proper training, lack of funding and poor relationship between stakeholders and the absence of the CF that guide the provision of psychosocial support to OVC. Conclusion The study findings were conceptualized to describe and develop a framework for psychosocial support of OVC in order to improve the psychosocial well‐being of OVC.
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spelling doaj-art-e6faa75e9bc94bddab112c85b711fb2a2025-08-20T03:40:25ZengWileyPublic Health Challenges2769-24502025-03-0141n/an/a10.1002/puh2.70045A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South AfricaLivhuwani Precious Matshepete0Lufuno Makhado1Ntsieni Stella Mashau2Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South AfricaOffice of the Deputy Dean Research and Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South AfricaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South AfricaABSTRACT Background The lack of a conceptual framework (CF) that can be utilized to manage the psychosocial well‐being of orphans and vulnerable children present a challenge in the Vhembe district, South Africa. Aim This article sought to provide a CF for psychosocial support of OVC in the Vhembe district, South Africa using Practice‐Oriented Theory and Donabedian's structure Outcome Model features. Method The study incorporated a four‐phased research strategy using a multiphase mixed methods approach. An exploratory, descriptive design was used for the study. The practice‐oriented theory of Dickoff et al. and Donabedian's SPO model provided a starting point in the ultimate development of the framework. Data were collected from three sources, orphans and vulnerable children n = 34, to explore and describe the experiences conducted with community‐based workers working with orphaned and vulnerable children within the Vhembe district to explore possible approaches for psychosocial support towards orphans and vulnerable children n = 4, CBOS, and social workers n = 10 working with OVC in the Vhembe district to explore the possible approaches for psychosocial support towards OVC until data saturation. Results The study revealed that OVC faces many challenges including loss/absence of parents, living arrangements, deprivation and neglect, abuse and alienation. Challenges exist and this was confirmed by the qualitative findings with community‐based workers and social workers, including lack of resources, lack of proper training, lack of funding and poor relationship between stakeholders and the absence of the CF that guide the provision of psychosocial support to OVC. Conclusion The study findings were conceptualized to describe and develop a framework for psychosocial support of OVC in order to improve the psychosocial well‐being of OVC.https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70045developmentOVCprogrammepsychosocialsupport
spellingShingle Livhuwani Precious Matshepete
Lufuno Makhado
Ntsieni Stella Mashau
A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South Africa
Public Health Challenges
development
OVC
programme
psychosocial
support
title A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South Africa
title_full A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South Africa
title_fullStr A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South Africa
title_short A Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial Support of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in the Vhembe District, South Africa
title_sort conceptual framework for psychosocial support of orphaned and vulnerable children in the vhembe district south africa
topic development
OVC
programme
psychosocial
support
url https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70045
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