The Effects of parental loss on the psychosocial wellbeing of AIDS-orphaned children living in AIDS-impacted communities: Does gender matter?

Study findings suggest that in communities affected by HIV/AIDS, parental loss has significant negative effects including socioeconomic and psychological distress on children -especially girls. Therefore, programs and policies that support AIDS-orphaned children in sub-Saharan Africa should work to address the psychological wellbeing of orphaned children over and above the material support they currently provide. Special attention should be paid to the girl-orphaned child, to enable them to carry out their caregiving roles without adverse impact on their own wellbeing.