The Emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the emotional experiences of children in selected orphanages.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was executed in three orphanages in Accra, Tema and Aburi through the use of semi-structured interviews and observations.

Findings

In total, 15 respondents reported some emotional experiences such as loneliness, entrapment, deprivation, rejection and helplessness.

Originality/value

The number of children living in orphanages has increased in recent times. Previous studies have examined psychological risk and protective factors among children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS and also compared orphan children to non-orphans. Notwithstanding this, little is known about the emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana.

Citation

Boadu, S., Osei-Tutu, A. and Osafo, J. (2020), "The Emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana", Journal of Children's Services, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 15-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-10-2018-0027