Experiences of Loneliness and Strengths Difficulties among Shelter Home Children

The number of homeless children around the world has reached more than 150 million. It is widely documented that institutionalized children represent a vulnerable sector of the Population as they carry a high risk for the development of psychological problems. Youths living in institutions take more risks, have more threats to achievement, and have poorer peer influences. This study adds to the knowledge base by focusing on children who are living in out-of-home care i.e shelter homes. The total sample consisted of 120 participants in the age range of 10-13 years which is divided into 60 shelter home and 60 non-shelter home children. Each group further consisted of 30 females and 30 males. The samples were drawn using purposive sampling method. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) (Goodman et al.,1998) and Loneliness and Social dissatisfaction scale (Asher et al., 1984) were administrated. Independent samples t-test and Pearson correlation was used as statistical methods. Significant differences were found between shelter home and non shelter home children on emotional symptoms, conduct problems, peer problems and loneliness. Males were found to be higher on hyperactivity and females on pro-social behavior. Significant positive correlation was found between duration of stay, emotional symptoms and peer problems. Poverty was the main reason of stay in shelter homes for these children followed by being orphans, militancy and other reasons. Overall findings suggest the presence of psychological problems among shelter home children and highlight the need of intervention programs to cater the specific needs of this group.