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.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 510

Browse Other Topics

Supporting Mental Wellbeing in Children, Families and Communities - Approaches from Three Continents

Family for Every Child, 16 Apr 2024

In this episode Amanda Griffith of Family for Every Child is joined by representatives of three member organisations who are working to support children's mental health and wellbeing across three continents.

Approaches for Psychosocial Support Towards Orphans and Vulnerable Children by Community-based Workers in the Vhembe District, South Africa

Lufuno Makhado, Ntsieni Stella Mashau, 29 Mar 2024

This qualitative exploratory-descriptive study outlines alternative approaches to psychosocial support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in four municipalities of Vhembe district in Limpopo Province, South Africa, in the form of community-based interventions.

Perceived Worries and Spirituality: A Mixed Methods Study of the Primary Caregiver Well-Being of Orphan and Vulnerable Children in Ethiopia

Aweke Tadesse, Jesse J. Helton, Kenan Li , 22 Mar 2024

This study investigates the well-being of primary caregivers responsible for orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia. Well-being is defined as overall wellness, happiness, and satisfaction.

Interventions to Support Reproductive and Mental Health Among Care Leavers: A Systematic Review

Leanne Bogen-Johnston, Natalie Edelman, Ruth Sellers , 21 Mar 2024

This systematic review addresses a gap in knowledge regarding the effectiveness of existing interventions that support care leavers’ sexual/reproductive health (e.g., contraception, pregnancy choices, early parenting). Eight published articles spanning six interventions were eligible.

Interventions to support reproductive and mental health among care leavers: A systematic review

Grandparenting and the Golden Years: Understanding the Factors and Mental Health Outcomes of Grandparent Caregivers in Older Adults

Badr Ratnakaran MBBS, Antoinette Valenti Shappell FAPA, Kiran Khalid MBBS, 19 Feb 2024

This report outlines the various trends and reasons for the rise of grandparents involved in caring for grandchildren in the U.S. It also describes the different types of households involving grandparents and grandchildren, including grandfamilies, skipped-generation, and three-generation families, and summarize various theories of grandparent stress including role strain theory and social exchange theory.

Grandparenting and the Golden Years: Understanding the Factors and Mental Health Outcomes of Grandparent Caregivers in Older Adults

Trajectories of Care Leavers According to Indicators of Psychosocial Adjustment: A cohort analysis

Carme Montserrat, Joan Llosada-Gistau, 18 Feb 2024

The present study conducted in Spain analyzed the relationship of care leavers once they become adults with the child protection system as parents, the penitentiary system, and residential resources for people with disabilities, analysing the results according to gender, country of origin, type of foster care when they were minors, type of support received as young care leavers and years in care.

Comparison of the Mental Health Status of Left-Behind Children Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yunzhu Wu, 20 Dec 2023

To investigate and discuss the mental health status of left-behind children in Anhui Province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze its influencing factors.

The Psychological Wellbeing Among the Adults Raised in Children’s Homes in Kenya

Hamida Ahmed, Charity Waithima, Michelle Karume, 26 Nov 2023

This study purposed to assess the psychological wellbeing of adults who were raised in children’s homes and other institutional care in Kenya and had since transitioned out. T

Improving the Mental Health of Care-Experienced Children & Young People

CASCADE Cardiff, 24 Nov 2023

Dr Rhiannon Evans, Reader in DECIPHer, discusses a systematic review taken of international evidence to understand what programmes work for improving the mental health of care-experienced children & young people, how they work, and what might

The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders Amongst Care-Experienced Young People in the UK: A Systematic Review

Aimee Cummings, Katherine Shelton, 23 Nov 2023

This study reviewed the prevalence of mental health disorders among Looked After Children in the UK.