title: Psychosocial challenges of young people affected by HIV: experiences from Hamilton County, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
abstract: The number of young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Tennessee has steadily grown over the last few years. As a response to this situation, several organizations are working hard to address the needs of families impacted by HIV and AIDS. However, a close examination of some of the services provided suggests that young people within these families are ignored. Most of the services are geared toward HIV and AIDS-infected adult members of these families. Young people within these household are not targeted, and little is known about psychosocial challenges they experience in living with HIV-positive parents or guardians. In an attempt to address this gap, this small-scale qualitative study investigated the psychosocial challenges of young people affected by HIV and AIDS as a result of living with HIV-positive parents or guardians. Perceived sense of depression, experiencing stigma, self-blame, and lack of communication and loneliness were challenges that young people faced regularly.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Work , Oakwood University , Huntsville , AL , USA.
authors.forename: Samson
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chama
authors.forename: Octavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ramirez
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
keywords: HIV; challenges; depression; stigma; young people