TOKYO: Nearly half of people from foster or orphan homes in Japan have felt desperate amid the coronavirus pandemic, a survey by a nonprofit organization showed Thursday.

The online survey by the International Foster Care Alliance was conducted on May 25-31, and 215 people aged between 16 and 39 gave answers.

The survey found that 47.5 percent of respondents felt depressed and desperate amid the pandemic.

It also showed that 30.2 percent saw their income become unstable and that 21.9 percent were struggling financially.

Only 20.9 percent said that they have caseworkers or orphan home staff to ask for help and advice. The survey showed that 30.2 percent deal with problems by themselves.

Such people “feel a psychological burden at a time when family bonds are highlighted amid the coronavirus crisis,” said Yukako Hatakeyama, associate professor of child welfare at Kobe Women’s Junior College, who helped the survey.

They “are greatly affected by the crisis due to the fragility of their lives and family backgrounds,” she said.

JIJI Press