The Emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana

Purpose: This study aims to explore the emotional experiences of children in selected orphanages. Design/methodology/approach: The study was executed in three orphanages in Accra, Tema and Aburi through the use of semi-structured interviews and observations. Findings: In total, 15 respondents reported some emotional experiences such as loneliness, entrapment, deprivation, rejection and helplessness. Originality/value: The number of children living in orphanages has increased in recent times. Previous studies have examined psychological risk and protective factors among children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS and also compared orphan children to non-orphans. Notwithstanding this, little is known about the emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana.