Does residential care system orphanizes children? Perceived pathways to self-adjustment following institutionalization in Rwanda

Abstract This study aims to explore the pathways to self-adjustment following institutionalisation from the children’s perspectives. One focus group discussion was conducted with 37 institutionalised children aged 9 to 15 in each of 5 selected residential homes for children in Rwanda. Data analysis was based on abbreviated version of grounded theory methodology. Findings show that a child is more likely to adopt a “negative pathway” to rendering children orphans i.e. orphanization. Negative pathway subsumes destructive, pessimistic, and distrustful attributes to self-adjustment.