“When Should I Tell?”: Perspectives on Disclosure to Their Children among Parents with Perinatally Acquired HIV

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) engage in developmentally expected behaviors, such as establishing relationships and having children. Previous research has focused on pregnancy management/outcomes of AYA with PHIV. However, little research has focused on the parenting experiences of this emerging cohort and on their views of disclosure to their offspring. This article examines data from a pilot study of five AYA parents with PHIV on disclosure to their child(ren) (n = 7, 6 HIV-negative). Disclosure of their own HIV status to their children is on the minds of parents with PHIV. However, few currently have children old enough to understand the parent’s diagnosis. Three parents indicated they would disclose their HIV status when their child was “old enough to understand” so that their child would be knowledgeable about HIV. One father also noted that he currently had more pressing parenting responsibilities beyond disclosure. When discussing their perspectives on disclosure, many referenced their personal stories indicating a link between their decision to disclose/not disclose to their child and their own disclosure narrative. One mother cited she did not plan to reveal her diagnosis to her son because he was uninfected, while another mother explained she did not want to worry her child. The mother of the only infected child “did not want to wait like my mother did” and planned to tell her son at an earlier age than when she learned of her own diagnosis. Clinical implications related to disclosure will be discussed and future areas of research identified.

HIV healthcare transition outcomes among youth in North America and Europe: a review

“…HIV is a highly stigmatized illness and many ALHIV report that HIV-associated stigma and disclosure to sexual partners, friends, and family is a barrier to engagement in adult care and quality of life [ 15 , 26 , 27 ]. HIV-associated stigma is magnified by the reliance on peer-networks and the need to feel “normal” [ 13 , 15 , 19 ].…”

Social effects of HIV disclosure, an ongoing challenge in young adults living with perinatal HIV: a qualitative study

“…A total of 20 YAPHIV participated in the study, including 8 females and 12 males. Their median age was 25 years (interquartile range [23][24][25][26][27][28]. The highest levels of education completed were vocational school (N = 10), high school (N = 3), middle school (N = 5), and primary school (N = 2).…”

Growing up with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus—A life not expected

“…Several studies describe a strong relationship between the young adults infected with PaHIV and their pediatric healthcare practitioners (Albright & Fair, ; Cervia, ; Fair, Allen, Trexler, Osherow, & D'Angelo, ). There is a unique relationship between the PaHIV‐infected young adults and their pediatric practitioners which supports the critical need for continuous meaningful engagement and comprehensive care.…”