Improving parental stress levels among mothers living with HIV: a randomized control group intervention study.
Limited knowledge exists regarding parenting efficacy interventions for mothers living with HIV (MLH). This study evaluated the impact of a supportive group intervention on lowering parenting stress among MLH. Eighty MLH were randomized to a parenting (N=34) or health focused (control) (N=46) group intervention. Pre- and post-intervention stress levels were assessed using the Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI/SF). Differences in PSI/SF scores were examined using ANOVA, and predictors of PSI/SF scores were evaluated using multivariable linear regression. Findings indicate that both groups experienced significant decreases in parenting stress from baseline to post-intervention (p=0.0001), with no significant differences between interventions. At baseline, 41% of participants were identified as highly stressed and 30% as clinically stressed, with PSI/SF scores above the 85(th) and 90(th) percentile, respectively. Amongst the highly stressed subpopulation, significant improvements in PSI/SF scores for Parental Distress PSI/SF (p=0.039), Difficult Child PSI/SF (p=0.048), and total PSI/SF (p=0.036) were seen, with greater improvements in the parenting intervention. Among the clinically stressed subpopulation, significant improvements in total post-intervention PSI/SF scores were seen (p=0.049), with greater improvements in the parenting intervention. Results indicate that screening for high levels of stress should be considered in clinical practice to effectively implement stress-reducing interventions among MLH.
1 Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama.
Erica R
ER
Johnson
Susan L
SL
Davies
Inmaculada
I
Aban
Michael J
MJ
Mugavero
Sadeep
S
Shrestha
Mirjam-Colette
MC
Kempf
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000407:Alabama; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents