Social Support Networks for Adolescents Orphaned by HIV: Definitions, Barriers, Challenges and Lessons from Uganda

Social support is a key element to the health wellbeing of individuals, especially those experiencing major life transitions and crises. Prior evidence has demonstrated that orphaned adolescents are socially isolated with limited supportive networks. This study focused on how orphaned adolescents define social support, the nature of relationships with non-kin ties, barriers and challenges to seeking support. In-depth interviews from 38 orphaned adolescents (14–19 years) were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings demonstrated that 1) orphaned adolescents define support in terms of ‘giving and receiving material and non-material assistance’, and ‘helping individuals overcome problems’, 2) relationships are initiated by family members, 3) economic hardships, stigma, and lack of trust deter adolescents from seeking support outside of the family unit. Study findings point to the need to integrate social support strengthening components within programming for orphaned adolescents living in HIV impacted communities.