Maternal HIV/AIDS and adolescent depression: A covariance structure analysis of the ‘Parents and Children Coping Together’ (PACT) Model

Abstract

This study assessed the efficacy of selected variables from the Parents and Children Coping Together (PACT) model, which was designed to predict maternal HIV effects on child/adolescent outcomes. Data from two longitudinal studies applying PACT measures were utilized, encompassing a 7-year assessment time span for HIV-infected mothers and their children. Both maternal and child-based measures were evaluated, and a sequential longitudinal design was adopted. Structural equation modeling using full information maximum likelihood was performed to assess the proposed model. Results show the PACT model was viable in predicting child/adolescent outcomes of self-concept and depression. Study implications are discussed, including the influences of maternal factors on child's self-concept and depression and a reconsideration of the effect of family cohesion on child/adolescent outcomes.

Keywords:

• Maternal HIV
• child self-concept
• child depression
• structural equation modeling

Acknowledgements

We thank the mothers and young adolescents who participated in this study, as well as the research interviewers, Sonia Ruiz and Claudia Perdomo. This research was supported by Grant R01 MH 57207 from the National Institute of Mental Health to D.A.M.

Notes

1. A second model was evaluated replacing child's self-concept with child's coping to assess further the effects of a child intermediate factor on depression. Coping was measured using four items from the Child General Coping Efficacy scale (Sandler et al., 1994): the degree to which coping strategies employed during the past month were effective in making them feel better; the degree to which they were satisfied with the strategies they employed; how well they felt they handled their problems compared to other kids; and how well they thought they would cope in the future. Fitting the same paths from the Figure 3, fit statistics showed a Yuan–Benter Scaled χ ² of 193.48 (df  =  76), with a CFI of 0.98, an IFI of 0.98, an NNFI of 0.98, and a RMSEA of 0.060 (90% CI  =  0.000–0.092). Although model fit is good, a major difference between paths in this model and those in Figure 3 was in the ‘prediction of childs’ self-concept; mothers' ethnicity was the only significant direct path. Other outcomes were essentially the same.