title: Exploring responses to transformative group therapy for orphaned children in the context of mass orphaning in Botswana.
abstract: In the context of AIDS, the Botswana Government has adopted a group therapy program to help large numbers of orphaned children cope with bereavement. This study explores the effectiveness of the therapy and examines how it interacts with cultural attitudes and practices concerning death. Ten orphaned children were involved in five rounds of data collection during a therapeutic retreat; eight social workers completed questionnaires concerning the effectiveness of the therapy. Most children were able to come to terms with their loss, face problems in their home and school environments, and envision ways of solving problems. All the children described benefits of group formation and the support it would provide when they returned to their home situations.
authors: Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Masego
authors: M
authors: Thamuku
authors: Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Marguerite
authors: M
authors: Daniel
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology; D001601:Bereavement; D001902:Botswana / Q000453:epidemiology; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000523:psychology*; D058872:Epidemics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D011577:Psychodrama; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure; D057545:Social Stigma; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome