The association between psychosocial well-being and living environments: a case of orphans in Rwanda.

This study examined how various living environments (child-headed households, orphanages, street children and foster homes), quality of care and demographic factors were associated with the psychosocial well-being of orphans in Rwanda by using a sample of 430 participants. Results indicated that children in orphanages exhibited higher levels of emotional well-being and lower levels of mental distress and risk-taking behaviour than others. Decision-making ability was the highest among child-headed households, while it was the lowest among those in orphanages. Quality of care, such as meal availability and length of time spent in a particular living environment, along with demographic factors, such as age and sex, were also important predictors of psychosocial well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]