NIJAMSS peer-reviewed article

Psychological Distress among Children Heading Households Affected by HIV and AIDS in Seme Sub-County, Kenya

Ochieng Nyangute Dismas; Daniel Atuke Otwori

Abstract: Background: Children heading households after parental loss may face emotional and material burdens, but direct accounts from these children are limited. Objective: To describe psychological outcomes among child household heads affected by HIV and AIDS in Seme Sub-County, Kenya. Methods: The source study used a descriptive survey with purposive selection from a stated population of 200 child-headed households. Of 133 selected household heads, 124 participated (93.2%). Respondents were aged 14-17 years. Questionnaires included measures of anxiety, self-esteem and depressive symptoms; key informant interviews supplied contextual accounts. Results: The reported mean item scores were 2.68 for anxiety and 2.34 for self-esteem (n = 124). Using the source manuscript's Zung categories, 64 respondents (51.6%) fell in its depressive-symptom range, while 60 (48.4%) fell below it. Most respondents, 112 (90.3%), reported no employment. Conclusions: The findings indicate a need for accessible psychosocial and material support. The cross-sectional, purposive design and incomplete scale reporting limit clinical interpretation and causal claims. The source does not provide quantitative estimates connecting psychological scores to household or school performance.

Keywords: Anxiety; Child-headed households; Depressive symptoms; HIV and AIDS; Kenya; Self-esteem

Journal

Nexus International Journal of Applied Science, Medicine and Social Sciences

e-ISSN

3144-2196

Publication date

August 2026

Volume / Issue

Vol. 1, Issue 2

Paper number

033

Article type

Original Research

Published paper ID

NIJAMSS-V1S2-AUG2026-033

Publisher

Nexus Academic Press

Access

Open Access

Full text PDF: https://www.nijamss.org/archives-download/nijamss-vol-1-series-2-august-2026-paper-033.pdf