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Title:
Hidden Young Carers: the Experiences, Needs and Resilience of Children Caring for Parents and Relatives with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania and the United Kingdom, 2006

Subject Categories:
Specific diseases and medical conditions - Health
Child development and child rearing - Social stratification and groupings
Ethnic minorities - Social stratification and groupings
Family life and marriage - Social stratification and groupings
Gender roles - Social stratification and groupings
Youth - Social stratification and groupings
Use and provision of specific social services - Social welfare policy and systems

Depositor(s):
Becker, S., University of Nottingham. School of Sociology and Social Policy

Principal Investigator(s):
Becker, S., University of Nottingham. School of Sociology and Social Policy
Evans, R., University of Nottingham. School of Sociology and Social Policy

Data Collector(s):
Evans, R., University of Nottingham. School of Sociology and Social Policy

Sponsor(s):
Economic and Social Research Council

Grant Number:
RES000221732A

Abstract:
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.

Coverage:
Time Period Covered: September 2006-April 2007
Dates of Fieldwork: July 2006-December 2006
Country: Tanzania; United Kingdom
Geography: Arusha; Dar es Salaam; East Midlands; Eastern England; Greater London; Kilimanjaro; Manyara; South East England; West Midlands; Scotland
Spatial Units: No spatial unit
Observation Units: Individuals; Families/households; Institutions/organisations
Kind of Data: Textual data; Individual (micro) level; Semi-structured interview transcripts, Diaries, Focus group transcripts

Universe Sampled:
Location of Units of Observation:Cross-national; Subnational
Population:Children and young people caring for a parent/relative with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania and the UK. Parents/relatives with HIV or guardians in Tanzania and the UK service providers from non-governmental organisations supporting children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania and the UK. Group discussions with young adults with HIV in Tanzania.

Methodology:
Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: Purposive selection/case studies
Number of Units: 93 semi-structured interviews; 2 focus groups; 21 life-story diaries
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview; Telephone interview; Diaries; Focus group; Life story books and drawings with children and young people,
Weighting: Not applicable

Language(s) of Written Materials:
Study Description: English and Swahili
Study Documentation: English

Access:
Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of Release:
First Edition: 8 September 2008

Copyright:
Copyright S. Becker and R. Evans

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