Challenges and coping strategies of male adolescents in Waterberg District child and youth care centres

Abstract

Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) play a critical role in safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children, yet adolescents in these centres often face complex challenges adapting to institutional life. This study explored the challenges experienced by male adolescents residing in CYCCs and examined their coping strategies, alongside the roles of Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs) in supporting these adolescents. The research was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, which provided a framework for understanding how environmental and individual factors interact to shape adolescent experiences in residential care. A qualitative phenomenological approach, complemented by exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research designs, was employed. The study was conducted in CYCCs in the Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo Province, involving nine male adolescents aged 13–18 and seven CYCWs selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using the seven-phase qualitative analysis process outlined by Lochmiller and Lester (2017). Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, while ethical standards such as informed consent, confidentiality, and minimisation of harm were strictly maintained. The findings revealed that male adolescents in CYCCs face multifaceted challenges. Key issues included identity and belonging, with adolescents struggling to navigate cultural identity and social isolation; family separation, which led to feelings of abandonment; and emotional and psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, often linked to unresolved trauma. Institutional experiences were varied, with some adolescents benefiting from structure and support, while others felt constrained by rules. Coping strategies ranged from adaptive mechanisms, such as self-reflection, behavioural adjustment, and seeking peer or caregiver support, to maladaptive strategies, including withdrawal and substance use. CYCWs played a critical role in facilitating coping and resilience, though they require adequate training and resources to effectively meet adolescents’ complex needs. Overall, the study highlighted the importance of trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and holistic support systems that integrate emotional, social, and educational interventions. The findings provided practical insights for improving care practices, guiding policy, and informing future research, ultimately aiming to enhance the well-being, resilience, and development of male adolescents in residential care.