Eugene Tartakovsky1, Liat Hamama. 1. The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel. etartakov@hotmail.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study examines the effect of having a child infected with HIV on the mother-child relationship. The study also examines how the mother's social axioms, psychological distress, and relationships with her partner affect her parenting of the child infected with HIV. METHOD: The study was conducted in Kazakhstan in the wake of a children's HIV epidemic. Mothers of children infected with HIV (n = 53) were compared to mothers of healthy children (n = 97). RESULTS: Compared to mothers of healthy children, mothers of children infected with HIV reported a higher level of acceptance of their children as well as a stronger belief in the "reward for application" axiom, a higher level of religiosity, and better relationships with their partner. Among mothers of both healthy children and children infected with HIV, the belief in the "reward for application" axiom, a low level of social cynicism, and good relationships with their partner was associated with a higher level of acceptance of their children. Among mothers of healthy children but not among mothers of children infected with HIV, psychological distress was associated with a lower level of acceptance of their children. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of children infected with HIV demonstrated a mobilization pattern of adjustment to their child's illness.
OBJECTIVE: The present study examines the effect of having a child infected with HIV on the mother-child relationship. The study also examines how the mother's social axioms, psychological distress, and relationships with her partner affect her parenting of the child infected with HIV. METHOD: The study was conducted in Kazakhstan in the wake of a children's HIV epidemic. Mothers of children infected with HIV (n = 53) were compared to mothers of healthy children (n = 97). RESULTS: Compared to mothers of healthy children, mothers of children infected with HIV reported a higher level of acceptance of their children as well as a stronger belief in the "reward for application" axiom, a higher level of religiosity, and better relationships with their partner. Among mothers of both healthy children and children infected with HIV, the belief in the "reward for application" axiom, a low level of social cynicism, and good relationships with their partner was associated with a higher level of acceptance of their children. Among mothers of healthy children but not among mothers of children infected with HIV, psychological distress was associated with a lower level of acceptance of their children. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of children infected with HIV demonstrated a mobilization pattern of adjustment to their child's illness.