Research

We actively participate in research projects and contribute to policy debates at both a national and international level. We have contributed to three research studies.

1: Orphan competent schools
In partnership with Maseno University and the Department of Health Promotion and Development at the University of Bergen we are investigating the characteristics of a supportive school environment with the aim of conceptualising an orphan competent school. We hope that this study will help inform school and community-based interventions looking to enhance the educational attainment and psychosocial well-being of orphaned and vulnerable children. 

2: Coping strategies of caregiving children
In partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) we conducted between 2006 and 2010 a participatory action research project that sought to map out the caring experiences of children living with sick parents or elderly grandparents as well as chart out their coping strategies. Key publications coming out of this study include:
  • Skovdal, M. (2011) “Picturing the coping strategies of caregiving children in Western Kenya: from images to action.” American Journal of Public Health 101(3): 452-453
  • Skovdal, M. and Andreouli, E (2011) “Using Identity and Recognition as a Framework to Understand and Promote the Resilience of Caregiving Children in Western Kenya” Journal of Social Policy 40(3)
  • Skovdal, M. (2010) “Community relations and child-led microfinance: A case study of caregiving children in Kenya” AIDS Care 22(S2):1652-1661
  • Skovdal, M., Aoro, C., Ogutu, V.O. and Campbell, C. (2009) "Young Carers as Social Actors: Coping Strategies of Children Caring for Ailing or Ageing Guardians in Western Kenya" Social Science and Medicine 64(4): 587-595
  • Skovdal, M. & Ogutu, VO. (2009) ‘I washed and fed my mother before going to school’: Understanding the psychosocial well-being of children providing chronic care for adults affected by HIV/AIDS in Western Kenya. Globalisation and Health 5:8 (23 August)

3: Community recommendations on how best to support caregiving children
In partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development and the LSE we conducted a series of community conversations to get an insight to how community members thought caregiving children are best supported. Key publications coming out of this study include:
  • Skovdal, M., Mwasiaji, W. (2011) “Supporting Caregiving Children in Kenya – Directions for Policy and Practice” Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development, Nairobi 

4: The importance of goat ownership on children's well-being
In partnership with the LSE we facilitated a study on the role of goat ownership on chilren's psychosocial well-being. This study formed part of an evaluation of a community livelihoods initiative that distributed goats to poor households. This study resulted in one publication:
  • Winsor, R. and Skovdal, M. (2011) “Agency, resilience and coping: Exploring the psychosocial effects of goat ownership on orphaned and vulnerable children in Western Kenya” Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology 21(5): 433-450 DOI: 10.1002/casp.1086
Picture
Young carer writing about his caring role and experiences