title: Stresses on grandparents and other relatives caring for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
abstract: This study investigated the needs of relative caregivers of children in the child welfare system whose parents had HIV. Families of children supported by the state child welfare agency were invited to participate in the study; 17 families reported that HIV affected them and 11 families did not identify HIV as an issue. The findings indicate that complex emotional and behavioral issues stressed the HIV-affected kin caregivers; these issues included the children's behavioral problems, HIV-related concerns, adolescent issues, emotional difficulties, and sexual abuse, HIV-affected caregivers had more concern about their health and multiple roles. Nonaffected caregivers were less likely to report severe parenting stress and more likely to report financial stress. HIV-affected caregivers require attention and intervention by social workers, child welfare workers, and case managers.
authors.affiliation: Jane Addams College of Social Work, Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center, Great Lakes Addictions Technology Transfer Center, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1640 West Roosevelt, Room 511, M-C 779, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. nlinsk@uic.edu
authors.forename: Nathan L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Linsk
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002641:Chicago; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012947:Social Work; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States