Abstract:
The relationships between care environment, resilience, and social
factors in orphaned and separated adolescents and youths (OSAY)
in western Kenya are complex and under-studied.Survey responses
from OSAY living in Charitable Children’s Institutes (CCI) and family based care settings (FBS) in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya were used to
examine the associations between 1) care environment and resilience; 2) care environment and factors thought to promote resili ence (e.g. social, family, and peer support); and 3) resilience and
these same resilience-promoting factors, using multivariable linear
and logistic regressions. This cross-sectional study included 1202
OSAY (50.4% female) aged 10–26 (mean = 16; SD = 3.5). The mean
resilience score in CCIs was 71 (95%CI = 69–73) vs. 64 (95%CI = 62–
66) in FBS. OSAY in CCIs had higher resilience (β = 7.67; 95%
CI = 5.26–10.09), social support (β = 0.26; 95%CI = 0.14–0.37), and
peer support (β = 0.90; 95%CI = 0.64–1.17) than those in FBS. OSAY
in CCIs were more likely to volunteer than those in FBS (OR = 3.72;
95%CI = 1.80–7.68), except in the male subgroup. Family (β = 0.42;
95%CI = 0.24–0.60), social (β = 4.19; 95%CI = 2.53–5.85), and peer
(β = 2.13; 95%CI = 1.44–2.83) relationships were positively associated with resilience in all analyses. Volunteering was positively
associated with resilience (β = 5.85; 95%CI = 1.51–10.19). The factor
most strongly related to resilience in both fully adjusted models
was peer support. This study found a strong relationship between
care environment and resilience. Care environment and resilience
each independently demonstrated strong relationships with peer support, social support, and participating in volunteer activities.
Resilience also had a strong relationship with familial support.
These data suggest that resilience can be developed through strategic supports to this vulnerable population