The role of parenting in affecting the behavior and adaptive functioning of young children of HIV-infected mothers in South Africa

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Authors

Allen, Alexandra Boeving
Finestone, Michelle
Eloff, Irma
Sipsma, Heather
Makin, J.D. (Jennifer Dianne)
Triplett, Kelli
Ebersohn, L. (Liesel)
Sikkema, Kathleen J.
Visser, M.J. (Maretha Johanna)
Ferreira, Ronel

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer

Abstract

Prior investigations suggest that maternal HIV/ AIDS poses significant challenges to young children. This study investigates the relationships between mothers’ psychological functioning, parenting, and children’s behavioral outcomes and functioning in a population of women living with HIV (N = 361) with a child between the ages of 6 and 10 years in Tshwane, South Africa. Utilizing path analysis, findings revealed that maternal depression is related to increased parenting stress and parent–child dysfunction, maternal coping is related to parenting style, and maternal coping, parenting style and stress, and parent–child dysfunction are associated with children’s behavior and functioning, with parenting emerging as an important mediator. These findings suggest that interventions for women living with HIV and their children should not only address maternal psychological functioning (depression and coping), but should also focus on parenting, promoting a positive approach.

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Keywords

Maternal HIV/AIDS, Child behavior, Parenting, Coping, OVC

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Allen, AB, Finestone, M, Eloff, I, Sipsma, H, Makin, J, Triplett, K, Ebersöhn, L, Sikkema, K, Briggs-Gowan, M, Visser, M., Ferreira, R., Forsyth, BWC 2014, 'The role of parenting in affecting the behavior and adaptive functioning of young children of HIV-infected mothers in South Africa', AIDS and Behavior, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 605-616.