Mothers living with HIV/AIDS: Mental, physical, and family functioning

Abstract

There has been little work assessing the psychological condition of mothers living with HIV, their home life, and how these women function as caretakers with a chronic illness. In this study, interviews were conducted with 135 HIV symptomatic or AIDS diagnosed mothers of young, well children aged 6-11. White mothers were less likely to be severely ill (CD4 counts of < 500) than all other race/ethnic groups. The mean level of depression was elevated among this sample, and was associated with poorer cohesion in the family, and with poorer family sociability. Depression also was associated with the mothers being less able to perform tasks that they typically do; children of more depressed mothers had increased responsibilities for household tasks.