DISCLOSURE OF PARENTAL HIV-INFECTION TO CHILDREN IN THE FAMILIES OF MEN WITH HEMOPHILIA - DESCRIPTION, OUTCOMES, AND THE ROLE OF FAMILY PROCESSES

Disclosure of serostatus is a difficult issue faced by individuals who have the AIDS virus, particularly when the HN-infected individual is a parent and the question is whether to disclose to a child. The prese nt study examined disclosure of paternal HIV status and the associatio ns between disclosure and child functioning in the families of men who have hemophilia and are HN infected. Results indicated that disclosur e of HIV status was more common with older children, among Caucasian f amilies, and in families in which fathers are more ill. The parent-chi ld relationship, but not disclosure, was significantly associated with child functioning when disclosure was considered within the content o f the family processes. A more positive parent-child relationship was related to lower levels of child depression and externalizing problems and to better grades.