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01-12-2009 | Original Paper

Disclosure of Maternal HIV-Infection in South Africa: Description and Relationship to Child Functioning

Authors: Frances L. Palin, Lisa Armistead, Alana Clayton, Bethany Ketchen, Gretchen Lindner, Penny Kokot-Louw, Analie Pauw

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 6/2009

Abstract

South Africa has one of the highest HIV-infection rates in the world, yet few studies have examined disclosure of maternal HIV status and its influence on children. This study provides descriptive information about HIV disclosure among South African mothers and explores whether family context variables interact with maternal HIV disclosure to affect children’s functioning. A total of 103 mothers, who self-identified as living with HIV and who were the primary caregivers of a child between the ages of 11 and 16, were interviewed. A total of 44% of mothers had disclosed, and those who had most typically perceived children’s reactions to disclosure to be sadness and worry. Widows and married mothers were more likely than single mothers to disclose their HIV status. Disclosure to children significantly predicted externalizing, but not internalizing, behaviors. Family variables had direct but not interactive effects on child functioning. This study highlights the complexity of disclosure-related decisions and the importance of addressing the family context.

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Title: Disclosure of Maternal HIV-Infection in South Africa: Description and Relationship to Child Functioning
Authors: Frances L. Palin
Lisa Armistead
Alana Clayton
Bethany Ketchen
Gretchen Lindner
Penny Kokot-Louw
Analie Pauw
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: AIDS and Behavior / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9447-4

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