AIDS orphans: The psychological adjustment of children with multiple family members with a terminal illness.

Abstract

Fifty-two uninfected children of HIV positive women who had a sibling who was followed by the Pediatric AIDS Clinic at a large mid-Atlantic urban pediatric medical center participated in this study. Children ranged from 6-16 years of age (M = 10.29, SD = 3.25). Four separate measures were used; three were completed by the uninfected sibling: The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Kidcope. The remaining measure, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), was completed by the caregiver. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were performed to test the theoretical model of adjustment created to assess the emotional adjustment of children who have multiple family members diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. As a group, these children were characterized by clinically elevated levels of psychological distress. Specifically, children who have experienced an HIV/AIDS related death in their family, have had their parent's or sibling's diagnosis disclosed to them, have a lack of available social supports and/or lack a stable living environment are at greater risk for developing behavioral and/or emotional problems.

The rise in the number of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome cases has created a new demographic in society, uninfected children with terminally ill family members. The uninfected children in HIV affected families may be exposed to a series of major psychological risk factors--stigma, secrecy, exposure to acute and chronic illness, death of parents and/or siblings, separations, losses, orphanhood and foster home placements. The purpose of this study was to assess the emotional adjustment of children who have multiple family members diagnosed with an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Specifically, descriptive data was collected to determine the degree of relationship among various combinations of the predictor variables (knowledge of parent/sibling illness, previous death experiences, participation in choosing future living situation, social support, and a history of a stable living situation) and each of the dependent measures.