title: Impact of parental HIV/AIDS on children's psychological well-being: a systematic review of global literature.
abstract: This review examines the global literature regarding the impact of parental HIV/AIDS on children's psychological well-being. Fifty one articles reporting quantitative data from a total of 30 studies were retrieved and reviewed. Findings were mixed but tended to show that AIDS orphans and vulnerable children had poorer psychological well-being in comparison with children from HIV-free families or children orphaned by other causes. Limited longitudinal studies suggested a negative effect of parental HIV on children's psychological well-being in an early stage of parental HIV-related illness and such effects persisted through the course of parental illness and after parental death. HIV-related stressful life events, stigma, and poverty were risk factors that might aggravate the negative impact of parental HIV/AIDS on children. Individual coping skills, trusting relationship with caregivers and social support were suggested to protect children against the negative effects of parental HIV/AIDS. This review underlines the vulnerability of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Culturally and developmentally appropriate evidence-based interventions are urgently needed to promote the psychological well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Hutzel Building, Suite W534, 4707 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI, USA. pch@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Peilian
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012933:Social Identification