Published in:
01-12-2018 | Original Paper
Does Maternal HIV Disclosure Self-Efficacy Enhance Parent–Child Relationships and Child Adjustment?
Authors:
Lisa Armistead, Nada Goodrum, Marya Schulte, William Marelich, Rebecca LeCroix, Debra A. Murphy
Published in:
AIDS and Behavior
|
Issue 12/2018
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Abstract
Nondisclosure of maternal HIV status to young children can negatively impact child functioning; however, many mothers do not disclose due to lack of self-efficacy for the disclosure process. This study examines demographic variations in disclosure self-efficacy, regardless of intention to disclose, and assesses the relationship between self-efficacy and child adjustment via the parent–child relationship among a sample of HIV+ mothers and their healthy children (N = 181 pairs). Mothers completed demographic and self-efficacy measures; children completed measures assessing the parent–child relationship and child adjustment (i.e., worry, self-concept, depression). Across demographics, few mothers reported confidence in disclosure. Results from covariance structural modeling showed mothers endorsing higher self-efficacy had children who reported better relationship quality, and, in turn, reported fewer adjustment difficulties; higher levels of disclosure self-efficacy also directly predicted fewer adjustment problems. Findings offer support for interventions aimed at providing mothers with skills to enhance confidence for disclosing their HIV status.