Abstract
Qualitative interviews were conducted with mothers (N = 47) who had disclosed their HIV status to their child. Mothers described their preparation and the process of the disclosure event, and discussed any regrets they had about disclosing or the process of disclosing. They were also asked what advice they had for other HIV-positive mothers who were trying to determine whether to disclose their serostatus to their young children. Overall, the majority of the mothers (68%) did not regret disclosing their HIV status. Regrets fell into five categories: preparation, timing, context, content, and outcomes of the disclosure event. Based on these findings, mothers who have not disclosed their serostatus to their children need assistance with behavioral practice and support in order to prepare for the process. Furthermore, follow-up support for the children may be beneficial.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Black, L. W. (1993). AIDS and secrets. In E. Imber-Black (Ed.), Secrets in families and family therapy (pp. 355–369). New York: W. W. Norton & Co.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1995). Update: AIDS among women–United States. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 44(S), 81–84.
Faithful, J. (1997). HIV-positive and AIDS-infected women: Challenges to mothering. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 67, 144–151.
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, HIV Epidemiology Program. (1999). An epidemiologic profile of HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles: Author.
Marks, G., Bundek, N. I., Richardson, J. L., Ruiz, M. S., Moldonado, N., & Mason, H. R. C. (1992). Self-disclosure of HIV infection: Preliminary results from a sample of Hispanic men. Health Psychology, 11, 300–306.
Moneyham, L., Seals, B., Demi, A., Sowell, R., Cohen, L., & Guillory, J. (1996). Experiences of disclosure in women infected with HIV. Health Care for Women International, 17, 209–220.
Murphy, D. A., Roberts, K. J., & Hoffman, D. (2002). Stigma and ostracism associated with HIV/AIDS: Children carrying the secret of their mothers' HIV+ serostatus. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 11, 191–202.
Murphy, D. A., Roberts, K. J., & Hoffman, D. (2001). Young children's reactions to mothers' disclosure of maternal HIV+ serostatus. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Murphy, D. A., Steers, W. N., & Dello Stritto, M. E. (2001). Maternal disclosure of mother's HIV serostatus to their young children. Journal of Family Psychology, 15, 441–450.
Strauss A., & Corbin J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Weiner, L., & Septimus, A. (1990). Psychological consideration and support for the child and family. In P. Pizzo (Ed.), Pediatric AIDS: The challenge of HIV infection in infants, children, and adolescents (pp. 577–594). New York: Williams and Wilkins.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Murphy, D.A., Roberts, K.J. & Hoffman, D. Regrets and Advice from Mothers who have Disclosed their HIV + Serostatus to their Young Children. Journal of Child and Family Studies 12, 307–318 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023939827449
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023939827449