Mothers with AIDS: Coping, support, and ability to plan for their children

As the number of HIV-infected women increases, providers and policy makers are faced with an additional challenge-the number of children who will be affected by a parent's death from HIV. This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study of the relationship between coping of mothers with AIDS and the status of their plans for the future of their children. Nineteen women with an AIDS diagnosis and having regular contact with their children were interviewed. A chance health locus of control, the ability to cope with the death of others, availability of informal support, and a better health status were associated with more planning by mothers with AIDS. The findings suggest interventions for helping families plan and point to variables for future research.