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A Mixed‐Methods Longitudinal Investigation of Mothers’ Disclosure of HIV to Their Children
Author(s) -
Goodrum Nada M.,
Masyn Katherine E.,
Armistead Lisa P.,
Avina Ivette,
Schulte Marya,
Marelich William,
Murphy Debra A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.13493
Subject(s) - serostatus , psychology , developmental psychology , longitudinal study , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , qualitative research , self disclosure , longitudinal data , coparenting , child rearing , clinical psychology , social psychology , medicine , demography , social science , family medicine , pathology , sociology , viral load
Mothers living with HIV (MLH) must navigate disclosing their serostatus to their children, but the longitudinal impact on families remains unknown. This study examined HIV disclosure, parenting, parenting stress, and child adjustment among 174 MLH‐child dyads (aged 6–14; 35% Latinx; 57% Black/African American). Quantitative data were collected over four waves spanning 15 months. Qualitative data were collected with 14 families in which disclosure had occurred. Latent change score modeling revealed that disclosure led to improvements in parenting stress, communication, and relationship quality. Disclosure did not predict child adjustment. Qualitative themes contextualized these findings, revealing stability and improvements in family functioning. MLH should be supported in disclosing their serostatus to their children to minimize parenting stress and bolster parenting skills.