Perceptions of children with HIV/AIDS from the USA and Kenya: self-concept and emotional indicators.
Perceptions of children's self-concept and associated emotional indicators were assessed in two populations, United States and Kenya, in children living with HIV/AIDS. Assessment of the self-concept mode of the Roy Adaptation Model used both verbal and nonverbal strategies. The sample of children (N = 48), ages 7 to 12 years who were HIV-positive, was recruited from a family clinic that cares for children with chronic illness in the United States (n = 6) and an orphanage that provides for HIV-positive children in Kenya (n = 42). Self-concept was measured using a modification of Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. Emotional indicators were measured from Human Figure Drawings (HFD) described by Koppitz (1968). All U.S. children were found to have an average self-concept and one-third demonstrated significant emotional indicators. In Kenya, 93% of the participants had an average self-concept and half were found to have significant emotional indicators. HFD can be used with other screening tools to perform a psychosocial assessment and screening for referral. This study contributes to nursing science by introducing a model-based assessment with cross-cultural applicability.
Trinity Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Sylvia M
SM
Waweru
Annette
A
Reynolds
Ellen B
EB
Buckner
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001155:Art Therapy; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D019372:Orphanages; D012649:Self Concept; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology