Abstract
This review examines the global literature regarding the impact of parental HIV/AIDS on children’s psychological well-being.
Fifty one articles reporting quantitative data from a total of 30 studies were retrieved and reviewed. Findings were mixed
but tended to show that AIDS orphans and vulnerable children had poorer psychological well-being in comparison with children
from HIV-free families or children orphaned by other causes. Limited longitudinal studies suggested a negative effect of parental
HIV on children’s psychological well-being in an early stage of parental HIV-related illness and such effects persisted through
the course of parental illness and after parental death. HIV-related stressful life events, stigma, and poverty were risk
factors that might aggravate the negative impact of parental HIV/AIDS on children. Individual coping skills, trusting relationship
with caregivers and social support were suggested to protect children against the negative effects of parental HIV/AIDS. This
review underlines the vulnerability of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Culturally and developmentally appropriate evidence-based
interventions are urgently needed to promote the psychological well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Fifty one articles reporting quantitative data from a total of 30 studies were retrieved and reviewed. Findings were mixed
but tended to show that AIDS orphans and vulnerable children had poorer psychological well-being in comparison with children
from HIV-free families or children orphaned by other causes. Limited longitudinal studies suggested a negative effect of parental
HIV on children’s psychological well-being in an early stage of parental HIV-related illness and such effects persisted through
the course of parental illness and after parental death. HIV-related stressful life events, stigma, and poverty were risk
factors that might aggravate the negative impact of parental HIV/AIDS on children. Individual coping skills, trusting relationship
with caregivers and social support were suggested to protect children against the negative effects of parental HIV/AIDS. This
review underlines the vulnerability of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Culturally and developmentally appropriate evidence-based
interventions are urgently needed to promote the psychological well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Substantive Review
- Pages 1-21
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0290-2
- Authors
- Peilian Chi, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Hutzel Building, Suite W534, 4707 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Xiaoming Li, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Hutzel Building, Suite W534, 4707 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165