Risk factors among children under institutional care: Caretaker’s perspective
Keywords:
Risk factors, Institutionalized children, Caretakers.Abstract
Background: Millions of children in India are living under traumatic circumstances due to poverty, death, neglect or violence of parents. Such children are protected and comforted at care homes. Children under an institutional care live in group arrangement. Enormous research was conducted on these children to understand their challenges and vulnerabilities.
Aims: The current study recognized the need to explore the risk of these children through the lens of the children’s caretakers.
Method: The sample included seven caregivers from child care institutions in urban and rural areas of Thiruvanantha puram, Kerala. A semi structured interview was conducted on them. The result identified themes like Family vulnerability, Temperament, Behavioral problems and emotional problem, Stigmatization and Academic difficulty.
Results: Findings highlighted the variant factors that should be considered as the modifications in them can in fact improve and enhance the life style of institutionalized children. The urgency to develop and implement specific interventions among children under care homes in association with their social environment was also emphasized.
Conclusion: The perspective of caregivers through this research provides a platform and guidance for the policymakers and health professionals of Kerala to design appropriate programs and projects for the welfare of children under institutional care.
