Psychosocial experiences of children living with single parents in Kawempe Division, Kampala City

Abstract

The study set out to document the experiences of children living with single parents‘ in Kawempe division in Kampala city. The study was guided by two objectives namely to explore type and quality of relationship that children with single parents build in Bwaise Kawempe division in Kampala district, and to explore challenges on relationship building in children living with single parents in Bwaise Kawempe division, Kampala city. The study was purely qualitative in nature and employed a purposive sampling strategy to identify the participants. The sample size of the study was relatively small with a total number of ten families‘ primary participants. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis method. The findings of the study were presented in narrative form so as to enhance quicker and better understanding of the psychosocial experiences of children living with single parents. The findings of the study highlight the children build close and supportive relationship with their single parent they are living with and, where children tend to form a bond with parents regardless of the fact that the parent are apart from each other, parentification relationship which compels children to step up and look after siblings amidst the absence of an adult caregiver, strained relationship, and supportive network relationship. While children tend to build different types of relationship with their single parents they however face challenges in building these relationships for instance stigma and peer relationship, perceived responsibility, and identity and self-esteem related challenges. The study concluded with the need to develop interventions aimed at alleviating the burden of parentification on children. This could involve providing financial assistance to single-parent households, offering after-school programs or childcare services, and promoting policies that support work-life balance for single parents.