The Relation between Social Skills of Caregivers and Psycho-Social Problems among Orphans

Al Mala, Asmaa Said; Elnagar, Mona A.; Ebrahem, Sabah M.; Radwan, Hanaa A.

doi:10.21608/menj.2024.354771

The Relation between Social Skills of Caregivers and Psycho-Social Problems among Orphans

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Clinical Instructor of Nursing Institute,

² Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt

³ Assistant Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt

10.21608/menj.2024.354771

Abstract

Background: Orphans in Egypt suffer psychologically when they are mistreated, given inadequate care, or placed in the care of unskilled caregivers. This influence, raising the possibility that orphans will develop psychopathology that persists into adulthood. Purpose: Assess the relation between social skills of caregivers and psycho-social problems among orphans at orphanages. Design: A descriptive correlational design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at five Orphans care centers in Shebin El-kom, Menoufia governorate, Egypt. Sampling: A consecutive sample of 85 orphans, 36 caregivers and 21 orphans’ teachers were included. Instruments: Three instruments were used: 1) A structural interview questionnaire to assess socio-demographic characteristics of children, their teachers and caregivers.2) Strengths and difficulties questionnaire teacher -version 3) Social skills inventory. Results: The highest percentage of the studied caregivers had moderate level of social skills (88.9%). Nearly two thirds of the studied orphans (60%) had abnormal level of conduct problems, about one quarter (23.5%) of the studied orphans had abnormal level of peer problems and 25.9% of studied orphans had abnormal level of prosocial problems. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant negative relation between total social skills of caregivers and total psychosocial problems of orphan children. Future research was recommended to assess other caregiver qualifications and psychological problems that impair provide proper care to orphans and contributing them to psychosocial problems.