This is part of a series of briefs providing new insights on factors affecting the wellbeing of orphaned and vulnerable children in rural Southern Africa, with the primary aim of informing evidence-‐based programming. Findings reported in this brief are based on the baseline data from an intervention trial (2008-‐2010) in 5 communities of Kafue District, Zambia, aimed at mainstreaming psychosocial support in an economic strengthening programme