HIV Infection in Children: Family Stress, Social Support, and Adaptation

Abstract

This study examined the relationships of family functioning, parenting stress, and social support of caregivers who are parenting children with HIV infection. A family adaptational model integrated the concepts of stress, coping, and ecological systems for understanding the impact of an HIV-infected child on family adaptation and functioning. Data were collected from 48 caregivers of HIV-exposed children. Hierarchical multiple-regression analysis showed that a number of factors contributed significantly to the prediction of parenting stress and family functioning. Results showed significant relationships among parenting stress, children's developmental delay status, children and caregivers' HIV status, and caregiving burden.