HIV-related stigma and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to systematically review existing literature reporting on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. A systematic review methodology was used to search electronic databases and journals, including Academic Search Complete, AIDS Care, PsychArticles, PubMed and SA ePublications from January 2006 to December 2016. Included studies were required to be peer reviewed, full-text, English medium, embody a quantitative, qualitative or mixed methodology and focus on HIV-related stigma and its impact on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. Findings were extracted in four steps: (1) identification; (2) screening; (3) eligibility; (4) inclusion. A meta-synthesis was used for the extraction and amalgamation of findings. Thirteen studies were included in the final review and consistently indicated that HIV-related stigma inhibited the psychosocial functioning and well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. This study sheds light on the impact of HIV-related stigma on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS, but has been limited by a culture of non-disclosure of parental HIV infection or death or failing to report on parental cause of death.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• children
• orphans
• psychosocial well-being
• HIV-related stigma

Acknowledgements

The findings of this study was presented at the 9th Annual Child Trauma Conference, held at the International Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa. The study is funded by the National Research Foundation under grant number 102468.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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Funding

The study is funded by the National Research Foundation under grant number 102468.