Grandmothers caring for their grandchildren orphaned by HIV and AIDS Doreen Mudavanhu, Puleng Segalo and Eduard Fourie

This exploratory study investigated the psychosocial impact on rural grandmothers in four districts of Gutu, Zimbabwe, caring for their grandchildren orphaned by HIV and AIDS. The participants included 12 grandmother-caregivers, whose ages ranged from 56 to 76 years, with orphans in their care ranging from infants to 18 years. The study made use of Erikson's psychosocial theory of development on late adulthood. Data was gathered using semi-structured, open-ended interviews and interpretive analysis was used to analyse the audio-taped data. The findings revealed that most grandmothers experience considerable difficulty in dealing with the late adult crisis of integrity versus despair, and also find it difficult to resolve the grief of losing their children while engaging in full time grand parenting in a stigmatising society. Participants reported a need for support and interventions tailored to their unique needs. The findings of the study recommend a need for counselling, social support, financial assistance and teaching skills and knowledge about HIV and AIDS.