Browsing by Author "Yassin, Zeenat"

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    The development of a model that examines parental HIV-related stigma and psychosocial well being of children orphaned by AIDS
    (University of the Western Cape, 2020) Yassin, Zeenat; Erasmus, Charlene; Frantz, Jose
    The growing interest in the well-being of children who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS is widely reflected in the emerging body of research. Children orphaned by AIDS-related causes are identified as a vulnerable population of youth who display lower levels of psychosocial well-being and experience increased psychosocial distress. While HIV-related stigma remains a salient risk factor hindering the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS, the concept remains elusive and poorly understood. Hence, the call for a comprehensive understanding to support an effective response to stigma reduction, and for the systematic identification and response to the psychosocial needs and challenges of children in the context of HIV/AIDS. The overall aim of this study was therefore to develop a model to understand the manner in which HIV-related stigma affects the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. A mixed method, exploratory, sequential design situated within a theory generative research approach was implemented in four sequential phases geared towards model development. The specific objectives of this study were to: (1) review existing literature focusing on the relationship between HIV-related stigma and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS (systematic review); (2) explore children orphaned by AIDS perceptions and experiences of HIV-related stigma (qualitative exploratory design); (3) develop a model that offers an understanding of the manner in which HIV-related stigma affects the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS (a theory generative design); and (4) determine the functionality of the developed model through the use of the Delphi technique (a modified Delphi technique). The systematic review conducted in Phase I indicated the presence of HIV-related stigma, which inhibited the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. The findings further highlighted the mediating role of maladaptive coping strategies and social support likely to reduce healthy psychosocial well-being and cause psychosocial distress among children orphaned by AIDS. Similarly, the findings arising from the qualitative exploration in Phase II indicated that children orphaned by AIDS were highly perceptive and experienced HIV-related stigma as a result of parental illness and death. These experiences negatively affected the psychological, emotional, and social well-being, self-concept and self-esteem, and future orientation of children orphaned by AIDS. The theory generative design in Phase III identified, classified, and defined six focal concepts upon which the model is based, namely, (1) enacted stigma, (2) perceived stigma, (3) internalized stigma, (4) coping strategies, (5) psychosocial well-being, and (6) interpersonal relations. The developed relationship statements of the model indicated: (1) the bidirectional relationship between enacted, perceived, and internalized stigma; (2) the mediating role of coping strategies; (3) the direct and indirect influences of HIV-related stigma on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS; and (4) the contextual role of interpersonal relationships in which the process of stigmatization may unfold. The modified Delphi technique conducted in Phase IV indicated that the developed model was simplistic, clear, generalizable, accessible, and important for use in research and practice. The developed model will aid future studies by providing a theoretical lens through which HIV-related stigma and its influence on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS may be viewed. HIV-related stigma should be considered strongly when addressing the well-being of orphaned children, so that tailored programs, interventions, and services may be set in place to effectively bring about the reduction of stigma and ensure the psychosocial well-being of children. The recommendations set out serves to further inform practice and programs and form a baseline for future empirical research focusing on HIV-related stigma and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS.
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    Family structure and functioning: Influences on adolescents psychological needs, goals and aspirations in a South African setting
    (Taylor & Francis, 2016) Davids, Eugene Lee; Ryan, Jill; Yassin, Zeenat; Hendrickse, Suzette; Roman, Nicolette V.
    This study aimed to determine the effects of family structure and functioning on basic psychological need fulfilment, life goals and aspirations of adolescents in a South African setting. Participants were 457 adolescent learners (Mage = 16.31, SD = 1.45, females = 54%, coloured = 56%) selected from four public schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. The adolescents completed the Family Assessment Device, Aspirations Index and Psychological Needs Scales. Results following multiple regression analysis suggested that a two-parent family structure predicted higher satisfaction of basic psychological needs and higher pursuit of extrinsic goals among adolescents than did a one-parent family structure. Family functioning determined pursuit of intrinsic goals by adolescents from one-parent families.
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    A model to understand HIV-related stigma and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS: a theory generative approach
    (Taylor & Francis Open Access, 2021) Yassin, Zeenat; Erasmus, Charlene; Frantz, Jose M.
    HIV-related stigma has negatively impacted the psychosocial well-being of children who have been orphaned by AIDS-related causes. Response to reducing stigma and ensuring child wellbeing is hindered by the limited understanding of HIV-related stigma and how it affects the psychosocial well-being of children. Due to the call for a comprehensive understanding of HIV-related stigma, this study aimed to develop a model to understand the manner in which HIV-related stigma affects the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. The study implemented a mixed method, exploratory, sequential design within a theory generative approach that included concept development, statement development, model description, and model evaluation. The developed model indicated that HIV-related stigma is embedded in social interaction and mediated by children orphaned by AIDS response to stigma. HIV-related stigma and maladaptive coping strategies collectively affect several domains of child psychosocial well-being and elevate psychosocial distress. This is the first model to provide a child-centred understanding of HIV-related stigma and its consequences for psychosocial well-being. The model may be used to guide future research and inform the development of appropriate interventions.
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    Qualitative exploration of HIV-related stigma and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS
    (Springer, 2020) Yassin, Zeenat; Frantz, Jose M.; Erasmus, Charlene
    Children orphaned by AIDS continue to display lower levels of psychosocial well-being. While HIV-related stigma has been identified as a risk factor for healthy psychosocial development, there remains an inadequate understanding of orphaned children’s experiences and perceptions of HIV-related stigma and its impact on their psychosocial well-being. This study explored children orphaned by AIDS perceptions and experiences of HIV-related stigma and how it has affected their psychosocial wellbeing. This study used a qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Thirteen participants between 8 and 17 years of age were purposively selected. Data was collected using individual open-ended face-to-face interviews, observations and field notes. Data was transcribed and analysed using a thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged, (1) children’s experiences of stigma and discrimination; (2) children’s perceptions of HIV-related stigma; (3) and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. Children were highly perceptive and experienced HIV-related stigma as a result of their association with parental HIV/ AIDS, regardless of their own HIV status. Experiences and perceptions of HIV-related stigma were identified to negatively impact the psychological and emotional well-being, social well-being, perceived social support, self-concept and self-esteem, and future orientation of orphaned children. This qualitative study contributes towards an understanding of orphaned children’s experiences and perceptions of HIV-related stigma and how it may affect their psychosocial well-being, which is useful for informing future research and policies and programmes guided towards ensuring the well-being of children orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS.
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    Students’ views of learning about an interprofessional world café method
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2016) Filies, Gerard C.; Yassin, Zeenat; Frantz, Jose M.
    BACKGROUND. Interprofessional education (IPE) and practice were conceived as a means to improve quality of care by bringing together the health and social professions to learn and work collaboratively in teams. This collaboration in turn would assist in overcoming negative stereotypes, and promote an understanding and value of the roles of the different professions. OBJECTIVE. To highlight a specific methodology to advance the interprofessional learning of senior students across five disciplines. By sharing the views of students engaged in a world café model of IPE, the authors highlight this strategy as a new concept in instilling core competencies in students. This in turn may assist other higher education institutions in their own processes of creating interprofessional curricula opportunities. METHODS. The participants included senior students from university departments of physiotherapy, oral health, social work, pharmacy and nursing. At the conclusion of the world café sessions, students evaluated the process by means of a questionnaire, using associative group analysis methodology. The responses were analysed into themes according to questions posed to students in an evaluation questionnaire. RESULTS. It was evident that students understood the terminology of IPE and learnt from others in terms of their roles and responsibilities within a team. Overall, students valued the experience; however, they emphasised the need for additional authentic learning opportunities throughout their student training. CONCLUSION. It is evident that although higher education institutions create opportunities for interprofessional learning, similar opportunities need to be provided in the practice setting.
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    A systematic review : the impact of stigmatisation on HIV/AIDS orphans psychological health
    (University of the Western Cape, 2015) Yassin, Zeenat; Erasmus, C.J
    Since the inception of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, millions of individuals of all ages have been affected. To date, more than 15 million people have died from HIV/AIDS, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of orphans worldwide. AIDS orphans are not spared from the catastrophic outcomes of the virus but rather are critically affected by the presence of familial HIV/AIDS. They have come to be seen as a vulnerable population of the youth who are neglected and ineffectively educated and cared for. Numerous risk factors and outcomes have been identified for AIDS orphans, such as parental bereavement, poverty, financial strain, the loss of educational opportunities, and stigmatisation. Although these risk factors and outcomes may be present among all orphaned youth, AIDS orphans display higher levels of psychological difficulties and distress than youth orphaned by other causes. Scholars have begun to investigate the association of AIDS orphans with a highly stigmatised disease in the hope of uncovering possible explanations. This research has become a challenging task as there is insufficient filtered information examining the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans. With limited knowledge, it is impossible to accurately illustrate or address the risk that HIV-related stigma poses to the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans. The present study aimed to examine and report on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans who have lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS. The study employed a systematic review methodology which identified and critically evaluated relevant literature for inclusion and provided a descriptive meta-synthesis of findings. The review considered studies reporting on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans that were published during the period 2004–2015. The review was conducted in four systematic steps. Firstly, potential titles were identified using predetermined sets of keywords in databases available at the University of the Western Cape. Secondly, the abstracts of potential titles were screened for relevance to the study and were promoted to the next level of review. Thirdly, the full text of the studies of all eligible abstracts were retrieved and evaluated for methodological quality using a critical appraisal tool. Eligibility for inclusion was determined by a predetermined threshold score of 80%. Lastly, studies included in the present study were subjected to a process of data extraction. Subsequently, the title search yielded 5473 prospective titles of which 96 titles were identified for possible inclusion. Abstract screening excluded 59 titles, and the differences of 37 studies were included. Critical appraisal of potential studies excluded 28 studies, and the remaining 9 studies were deemed eligible for the purpose of the present study, achieving the threshold score of 80% and above and have been included in the review. The theory explication meta-synthesis and line of argument forming the discussion of findings revealed that AIDS orphans are critically affected by various measures of HIV-related stigma. The central feature extracted from the included studies was the increase of psychological distress and poor psychological functioning of AIDS orphans resulting from HIV- related stigma. Stigma acted to perpetuate poverty, the loss of educational opportunities and the process of bereavement, while leading to an increase in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, conduct disorder, adjustment disorder and delinquency among AIDS orphans. In conclusion, AIDS orphans experienced all measures of HIV-related stigma resulting in an increase of psychological distress accompanied by lower levels of poor-psychological functioning.
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    A systematic review : the impact of stigmatisation on HIV/AIDS orphans psychological health
    (University of the Western Cape, 2015) Yassin, Zeenat; Erasmus, C.J
    Since the inception of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, millions of individuals of all ages have been affected. To date, more than 15 million people have died from HIV/AIDS, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of orphans worldwide. AIDS orphans are not spared from the catastrophic outcomes of the virus but rather are critically affected by the presence of familial HIV/AIDS. They have come to be seen as a vulnerable population of the youth who are neglected and ineffectively educated and cared for. Numerous risk factors and outcomes have been identified for AIDS orphans, such as parental bereavement, poverty, financial strain, the loss of educational opportunities, and stigmatisation. Although these risk factors and outcomes may be present among all orphaned youth, AIDS orphans display higher levels of psychological difficulties and distress than youth orphaned by other causes. Scholars have begun to investigate the association of AIDS orphans with a highly stigmatised disease in the hope of uncovering possible explanations. This research has become a challenging task as there is insufficient filtered information examining the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans. With limited knowledge, it is impossible to accurately illustrate or address the risk that HIV-related stigma poses to the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans. The present study aimed to examine and report on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans who have lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS. The study employed a systematic review methodology which identified and critically evaluated relevant literature for inclusion and provided a descriptive meta-synthesis of findings. The review considered studies reporting on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans that were published during the period 2004–2015. The review was conducted in four systematic steps. Firstly, potential titles were identified using predetermined sets of keywords in databases available at the University of the Western Cape. Secondly, the abstracts of potential titles were screened for relevance to the study and were promoted to the next level of review. Thirdly, the full text of the studies of all eligible abstracts were retrieved and evaluated for methodological quality using a critical appraisal tool. Eligibility for inclusion was determined by a predetermined threshold score of 80%. Lastly, studies included in the present study were subjected to a process of data extraction. Subsequently, the title search yielded 5473 prospective titles of which 96 titles were identified for possible inclusion. Abstract screening excluded 59 titles, and the differences of 37 studies were included. Critical appraisal of potential studies excluded 28 studies, and the remaining 9 studies were deemed eligible for the purpose of the present study, achieving the threshold score of 80% and above and have been included in the review. The theory explication meta-synthesis and line of argument forming the discussion of findings revealed that AIDS orphans are critically affected by various measures of HIV-related stigma. The central feature extracted from the included studies was the increase of psychological distress and poor psychological functioning of AIDS orphans resulting from HIV- related stigma. Stigma acted to perpetuate poverty, the loss of educational opportunities and the process of bereavement, while leading to an increase in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, conduct disorder, adjustment disorder and delinquency among AIDS orphans. In conclusion, AIDS orphans experienced all measures of HIV-related stigma resulting in an increase of psychological distress accompanied by lower levels of poor-psychological functioning.