Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
This cross-national study investigates the experiences, needs and resilience of children and young people caring for parents or relatives with HIV/AIDS (‘young carers’) in Tanzania and the UK. This study explores similarities and differences in the experiences of this hidden group of young carers. The study aimed to understand children’s everyday experiences of unpaid care work in families affected by HIV/AIDS; the push and pull factors influencing whether and why they take on care-giving tasks; the outcomes for children and families; the factors that can reduce children’s vulnerability to negative outcomes and promote their ‘resilience’; caring relationships within families; and how young carers can best be supported in terms of policy and social welfare practice. The study's child-focused methodology acknowledged children’s active roles in constructing their caring roles and the social determinants which influence these. Ninety-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with children and young people with caring responsibilities, parents/relatives with HIV and service providers supporting the families in Tanzania and the UK. Participatory methods were also used with the children, including drawings, written diaries and photographs. Further information on the study is available from the ESRC's award page.
Main Topics:
Children's and young people's everyday experiences of caring for a parent/relative with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania and the UK; resilience of children and young people and impacts of young caregiving and HIV/AIDS on individual children, the family, school and wider community in Tanzania and the UK; children's and parents'/relatives' experiences of Non-Governmental Orginisation (NGO) services and professional support in Tanzania and the UK; service providers' experiences of effective practices in supporting children caring for parents/relatives with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania and the UK; needs and requirements for support of young carers and their families.
Purposive selection/case studies
Face-to-face interview
Telephone interview
Diaries
Focus group
Life story books and drawings with children and young people,
