Socioemotional support in african american families coping with maternal HIV: An examination of mothers' and children's psychosocial adjustment

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the functions of socioemotional support among 205 African American mothers and children who reside in a low-income inner city environment. Approximately one-third of participating mothers were HIV-infected. Results indicated that HIV-infected women and their children endorsed receiving lower levels of socioemotional support than noninfected women and their children. More social and emotional support from neighbors and friends was associated with less psychological distress of both HIV-infected and noninfected women. More socioemotional support from the mother was associated with less depressive mood and disruptive behavior among all children. Some evidence indicated that higher levels of emotional support received by mothers from children were associated with greater psychological distress in mothers. With few exceptions, the HIV status of the mother did not qualify the relationship between socioemotional support and psychosocial adjustment. Thus, socioemotional support appeared to serve as a resource factor, rather than a protective factor, among these families. The current results tentatively indicate that families facing these stressors may benefit from clinical services enhancing mothers' access to socioemotional support from other adults.