Correlates of Psychological Distress Among Mothers of Children and Adolescents with Hemophilia and HIV Infection

Evaluated the correlates of mood state (psychological distress) in a multisite study of two groups: (a) mothers of HIV-positive children and adolescents with hemophilia (n = 91), and (b) mothers of HIV-negative children and adolescents with hemophilia (n = 92). Socioeconomic status, quality of family relationship support, and frequency of negative life events accounted for significant variance in Total Mood Disturbance (psychological distress) as measured by the Profile of Mood States in the overall sample. Severity of hemophilia was unrelated to distress. A significant interaction between HIV status and frequency of stressful life events indicated that this variable related more strongly to distress among mothers of HIV-infected children and adolescents with hemophilia than among mothers of HIV-negative children with hemophilia. Findings suggest that the presence of HIV infection in their children and adolescents may heighten the impact of negative life events on the psychological distress experienced by these mothers.