Overview of Psychosocial Research Concerning Pediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Abstract

With improved medical treatments, children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are surviving for many years and need to be integrated into the mainstream of life. Caregivers need to be aware of psychosocial issues of children living with HIV; however, minimal research concerning children relates to psychosocial aspects of HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This article describes the current state of psychosocial research related to pediatric HIV infection and suggests directions for future research. A model for organizing research on pediatric HIV infection comes from models developed for other chronic childhood illnesses. Using an interactionist model of chronic illness, we group existing research into studies relating to the child's environment and family and those concerning the child. Emerging areas of psychosocial research concerning resiliency and coping, family concerns, and intervention research are described. Additional researchable areas concerning psychosocial aspects of pediatric HIV are suggested. Finally, barriers to conducting psychosocial research with HIV-infected children are identified.