The objective of the study was to investigate the psychosocial characteristics of HIV I AIDS orphans compared-to non HIV/AIDS orphans and non orphans. The samples were taken from three independent groups (HIV/AIDS orphans, non HIV/AIDS orphans and non orphans), A total of 246 (82 from each group) children were considered. Scales for the selected psychosocial variables were employed to collect data from the research participants. One way ANOVA and , optimism find ioneliness and sodial dis~atisfaction scales among HIV I AIDS orphans, non HIV/AIDS orphans and non orphans ,Fc2,243)=80.16, P<0.05; Fc2,243)=87.86, P<0.05; Fc2,243r98.97, P<0.05, and Fc2,243r76.79, P<{.).05, rqpectively. Tukey's BSD.test suggested that HIV /~IDS orphans were more likely to disclose more symptoms of depression feelings, seemed to have low self esteem, arid low positive future expectation (optimism), and greater feelings of ' ' loneliness and social dissatisfaction compared to non HIV I AIDS orphans and non orphans. And in' turn, non HIV I AIDS orphans, were more likely to display more symptoms of depression, seemed to have low self esteem and low positive future expectation, compared to non orphans. Ho_w~~er, non ijJV I AIDS orph~ns and non orphans seemed to show no significant difference in the levels· of feelings of 1(1rteliness and social dissatisfaction. A separate analysis used to .,~ . c.. understand the effects of orphanhood status (.double, maternal and paternal) using 'ANOV A demonstrated that there is a statistically.significant mean difference on the scales of Depression , Self esteem, Optimism, and Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction among double, maternal and - paternal orphans, Fc2,161rf4.21, P<04J5; Fc2,161)=17.60, P<0.05; Fc2,161r22.35, P<0.05; and loneliness and social dissatisfaction. r . ~ ~(2,161r3.397, P<0.05, respectively. Tukey's pairwise comparison indicated double and maternal orphans were more likely to display more symptoms of depression, seemed to have low self .. . ;. - - .... , esteem ~nd pleasant future exp~ctation (optimism), ,.and greater feelings of loneliness and social ., ~ . -- <.· • Tukey's HSD method of pairwise comparison were employed to analysis the data. ANOVA result revealed a statistically significant mean variation in the score of Depression, self esteem , . . ' ... . ' dissatisfaction compared to paternal orphans. But no statistically significant variation was seen . . ,.. Abstract ' between double and maternal orphans in the levels of depression feelings, self esteem, optimism,