Abstract
While the number of new HIV infections has declined, the number of orphans as a result of AIDS-related deaths continues to increase. The aim of this paper was to systematically review empirical research on the mental health of children affected by HIV/AIDS in the developing world, specifically with an eye on developing a theoretical framework to guide intervention and research. Articles for review were gathered by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA standards), reviewed and then organized and synthesized with a Developmental Psychopathology framework. Results showed that the immediate and longterm effects of AIDS orphanhood are moderated by a number of important risk and protective factors that may serve as strategic targets for intervention. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
Highlights
In recent years, the incidence and prevalence of HIV have declined worldwide
Articles for review were gathered by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta Analyses [18] via database searches through PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and PubMed using combinations of the following search terms: “AIDS-orphan,” “AIDS,” “orphan(s),” “HIV,” “children,” “developing world,” “sub-Saharan,” “China,” “South Africa,” names of other high prevalence countries (e.g., Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe), and mental health terms such as "mental health," "psychological," "psychopathology," "emotional disorders," "behavioral disorders," as well as specific major child/adolescent disorders
The association of AIDS-orphanhood with internalizing, but not externalizing problems, is the same conclusion reached by the two previous comprehensive literature reviews in the field [6,8]
Summary
The incidence and prevalence of HIV have declined worldwide. The 2.1 million new HIV infections in 2013 was a 900,000 decrease from 2001 [1]. Progress has been attributed to the development and implementation of intervention and prevention strategies (e.g. male circumcision, antiretroviral therapy) that has contributed to the decline of the disease, but has increased the quality of life of people living with HIV. Even with such progress, the disproportionate impact of HIV on the developing world continues to pose significant challenges. The disproportionate impact of HIV on the developing world continues to pose significant challenges One such challenge is the welfare of children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS-related death. Despite the progress made in decreasing the incidence and prevalence of HIV, AIDS-related orphanhood continues to be a significant problem for local communities, national governments, and international aids organizations
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