title: Support from health care providers and parental uncertainty during the diagnosis phase of perinatally acquired HIV infection.
abstract: Support from health care providers (HCPs) can reduce parental uncertainty during the diagnosis of serious childhood conditions, but the effect may change when the parent is chronically ill. The purpose of this study was to learn whether a mother's uncertainty about her HIV diminished the effect of support from HCPs on parental uncertainty during the diagnosis of perinatally acquired HIV infection. Participants were 25 women who accompanied their biological children to pediatric HIV screening clinics at two urban sites. Questionnaires were read to participants in a private area of clinic. To test for mediation, three models for parental uncertainty were examined using regression procedures. The results suggest that when a mother has HIV infection, HCPs can maximize the effect of their support on parental uncertainty by also addressing mother's uncertainty about her HIV during the baby's screening visits.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Santacroce
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009511:New England; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support