A perspective on the influence of residential institutions on child personality development in Zimbabwe. A case study of Tichakunda Children's Home.
- Author
- Chimuka, Sally S. T.
- Title
- A perspective on the influence of residential institutions on child personality development in Zimbabwe. A case study of Tichakunda Children's Home.
- Abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of orphanages on child personality development. The study was a case study of Tichakunda children’s home. 14 individuals participated in the research inclusive of 9 participants and 5 key informants. Information was obtained through qualitative research methods including in depth interviews, key informant interviews, observations and focus group discussions. The research objectives were to explore the relationship between residential institutions and child personality development, to evaluate the role of caregivers in shaping a child’s personality and to come up with recommendations to improve character development for children in residential institutions. The study established various influences contributing to child personality development which are environmental, social as well as genetic. The study reinforces the idea that residential institutions environment and care giving quality influence child personality development. Creating stable nurturing settings may mitigate the effects and promote healthier psychological growth. The findings advocate for policy reforms and targeted interventions to enhance developmental outcomes for orphans and vulnerable children among these, the care giving environment and the residential institution environment proved to be most influential. Care giving plays a crucial role particularly during early childhood which is a sensitive period for emotional, cognitive and social development. The residential institution environment set the stage as the foundation for all the other influence. The study also provided recommendations to relevant stakeholders including the local government, nongovernmental organizations as well as the residential institutions which house the orphans and vulnerable children.
- Date
- June 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Residential Institutions
- Child Personality Development
- Supervisor
- Ms. R. Muregi
- Item sets
- Department of Social Work
- Media
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Chimuka, Sally S. T..pdf