There is an estimated 100,000 children orphaned by
AIDS in China, but data on the care arrangement of these orphans are limited. In this study, we examine the relationship between
AIDS orphans' care arrangement and their psychosocial well-being among a sample of
AIDS orphans in rural China. A total of 296 children who lost both parents to
AIDS participated in the study, including 176 in orphanages, 90 in
kinship care and 30 in community-based group homes. All participants completed a cross-sectional survey assessing their traumatic symptoms, physical health and schooling. Data reveal that the
AIDS orphans in group homes reported the best outcomes in three domains of psychosocial well-being, followed by those in the orphanages and then the
kinship care. The differences in psychosocial well-being among the three groups of children persist after controlling for key demographic characteristics. The findings suggest that the appropriate care arrangement for
AIDS orphans should be evaluated within the specific social and cultural context where the orphans live. In resource-poor regions or areas stricken hardest by the
AIDS epidemic,
kinship care may not sufficiently serve the needs of
AIDS orphans. Community-based care models, with appropriate government and community support preserving the family style and low child-to-caregiver ratio may constitute an effective and sustainable care model for the best interest of the
AIDS orphans in developing countries.