International perspectives on HIV/AIDS in schools: A call to action for school psychologists and educators

ABSTRACT

Rates of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as mortality and morbidity related to HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) depend, in part, on the resources available in the child’s country. HIV prevention and intervention efforts also are influenced by cultural factors. The purpose of this article is to summarize key findings from this special issue on international perspectives of HIV/AIDS in schools with a focus on neuropsychological and psychoeducational implications. After providing a brief summary of each article, we outline a call to action for school psychologists and educators.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• AIDS
• international
• school psychologists
• educators

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tiffany Chenneville

Tiffany Chenneville is a Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department at the University of South Florida and the Marie E. and E. Leslie Cole Endowed Chair in Ethics. She holds a Joint Appointment in the Department of Pediatrics where she serves as a Behavioral Health Consultant for the Pediatric and Adolescent Infectious Disease Program. Dr. Chenneville’s program of research is in the area of pediatric and adolescent HIV with a focus on the psychosocial issues affecting youth with HIV and ethical issues related to HIV prevention, treatment, and research. Dr. Chenneville is recognized as an international expert in this area with ongoing projects in Kenya, South Africa, and England. She also has collaborated on projects in India. Dr. Chenneville was the recipient of a Fulbright Specialist Award in 2018. She has published extensively in the area of HIV.

Andrew S. Davis

Andrew S. Davis is the Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology, a Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Ball State University Neuropsychology Laboratory. His research interests are primarily focused on applied aspects of clinical neuropsychology. This includes the neuropsychological functioning of neurologically and psychiatrically impaired individuals and psychometric issues in neuropsychological assessment. Dr. Davis was the Founding Editor of the Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology and currently is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of School and Educational Psychology. Dr. Davis is a licensed psychologist and a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology.

Mary (Rina) M. Chittooran

Mary (Rina) M. Chittooran is a nationally certified school psychologist, an Associate Professor in the Education Policy & Equity Program in the School of Education, and a member of the Asian Studies faculty at Saint Louis University. Her primary research interests are in research ethics, intercultural competence, applied neuropsychology, and promoting the wellbeing of school-age children. Her teaching experience focuses on multicultural issues, research methods, and professional ethics. Chittooran is in her second term as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, serves as the Child Advocate on Saint Louis University’s Institutional Review Board, and is originally from India.