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Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings

The stressful nature of pediatric HIV disclosure has contributed to the less than optimal disclosure rates in many resource-limited settings. This study examined the presence of disclosure stressors and coping behaviours used by South African caregivers and children during the disclosure phases to p...

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Main Author: Bustamam, Amy
Other Authors: Colvin, Christopher J
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Department of Public Health and Family Medicine 2025
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access_status_str Open Access
author Bustamam, Amy
author2 Colvin, Christopher J
author_browse Bustamam, Amy
Colvin, Christopher J
author_facet Colvin, Christopher J
Bustamam, Amy
author_sort Bustamam, Amy
collection Thesis
description The stressful nature of pediatric HIV disclosure has contributed to the less than optimal disclosure rates in many resource-limited settings. This study examined the presence of disclosure stressors and coping behaviours used by South African caregivers and children during the disclosure phases to promote a healthy disclosure process. Disclosure experiences of 54 caregivers and 27 children (not-dyads) attending HIV-groups in Khyletisha were assessed using the directed approach to content analysis method to identify stressors and coping use. Data from six FGDs and eight IDIs were coded using predetermined coping batteries. 10 disclosure stressors and 12 coping behaviours were identified. Transcripts revealed that the common barriers reported in the literature, like HIV-stigma and caregiver unpreparedness, functioned as stressors influencing the use of coping mechanisms. Identified Adaptive coping strategies included: Social Support, Restraint Coping, Selective Disclosure, Active Coping/Problem Solving, Positive Thinking/Cognitive Restructuring, Religious Coping, Acceptance, and Information seeking, which often encouraged full disclosure, brought resolution to stressful situations, maintained positive self-esteem, or encouraged adherence to ART. Maladaptive coping behaviours included: Behavioural Disengagement, Confrontive Coping, Escape-Avoidance/Tension Reduction, and Suicidal. Throughout the disclosure stages, coping behaviours dynamically changed to perceived consequences/stressors (i.e potential stigmatization) and changing situational dynamics. Coping use and recommendations for disclosure interventions were discussed. Coaching of healthy coping strategies to caregivers and children is essential in combating the stressful nature of disclosure and critical in promoting adequate disclosure processes, outcomes, and timely disclosure.
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institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:32:56.154Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher Department of Public Health and Family Medicine
publisherStr Department of Public Health and Family Medicine
record_format dspace
source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/40813 Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings Bustamam, Amy Colvin, Christopher J Leon, Natalie child disclosure coping stressors HIV disclosure barriers The stressful nature of pediatric HIV disclosure has contributed to the less than optimal disclosure rates in many resource-limited settings. This study examined the presence of disclosure stressors and coping behaviours used by South African caregivers and children during the disclosure phases to promote a healthy disclosure process. Disclosure experiences of 54 caregivers and 27 children (not-dyads) attending HIV-groups in Khyletisha were assessed using the directed approach to content analysis method to identify stressors and coping use. Data from six FGDs and eight IDIs were coded using predetermined coping batteries. 10 disclosure stressors and 12 coping behaviours were identified. Transcripts revealed that the common barriers reported in the literature, like HIV-stigma and caregiver unpreparedness, functioned as stressors influencing the use of coping mechanisms. Identified Adaptive coping strategies included: Social Support, Restraint Coping, Selective Disclosure, Active Coping/Problem Solving, Positive Thinking/Cognitive Restructuring, Religious Coping, Acceptance, and Information seeking, which often encouraged full disclosure, brought resolution to stressful situations, maintained positive self-esteem, or encouraged adherence to ART. Maladaptive coping behaviours included: Behavioural Disengagement, Confrontive Coping, Escape-Avoidance/Tension Reduction, and Suicidal. Throughout the disclosure stages, coping behaviours dynamically changed to perceived consequences/stressors (i.e potential stigmatization) and changing situational dynamics. Coping use and recommendations for disclosure interventions were discussed. Coaching of healthy coping strategies to caregivers and children is essential in combating the stressful nature of disclosure and critical in promoting adequate disclosure processes, outcomes, and timely disclosure. 2025-01-17T13:40:30Z 2025-01-17T13:40:30Z 2024 2025-01-17T12:21:41Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MPH http://hdl.handle.net/11427/40813 eng application/pdf Department of Public Health and Family Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town
spellingShingle child disclosure
coping
stressors
HIV
disclosure barriers
Bustamam, Amy
Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings
thesis_degree_str Master's
title Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings
title_full Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings
title_fullStr Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings
title_full_unstemmed Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings
title_short Stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric HIV-disclosure stages in resource-limited settings
title_sort stressors and coping behaviours of caregivers and children across the pediatric hiv disclosure stages in resource limited settings
topic child disclosure
coping
stressors
HIV
disclosure barriers
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/40813
work_keys_str_mv AT bustamamamy stressorsandcopingbehavioursofcaregiversandchildrenacrossthepediatrichivdisclosurestagesinresourcelimitedsettings