Abstract : This review describes the available research literature regarding the impact of HIV/AIDS on children, who are often referred to as OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children). It draws on the academic literature, including both published and unpublished research papers, books and reports regarding children who have a parent living with, or has died of, HIV/AIDS. The review focuses predominantly on African research. Children who are themselves infected with HIV are not covered in this review. Clearly, children with HIV/AIDS have unique needs and challenges which warrant separate consideration.
The review begins by looking at the general academic literature regarding the impact of HIV/AIDS on children. In section one, it is argued that the emphasis on, firstly, orphanhood and, secondly, financial deprivation have both been counter-productive to defining the research agenda regarding OVCs more broadly.
Section two focuses on research findings regarding the psychological impact of (a) living with a parent with AIDS and (b) being orphaned as a result of AIDS.
Research findings suggest that if there is any one aspect of HIV/AIDS as a cause of parental death that stands out as the most significant difference in determining its increased psycho-social impact on OVCs, then this is the social stigma attached to the disease.
In section three, empirical evidence regarding the type of adjustment difficulties experienced by OVCs is explored. It is argued that, although the evidence suggests that OVCs, especially orphans, are prone to depression, there is very little research evidence to suggest that OVCs are more prone to delinquent or anti-social behaviours than other children from similar socio-economic backgrounds.
Section four and five of the review focus on issues surrounding disclosure of an HIV positive diagnosis or AIDS-related death to children, and the kinds ofdifficulties practitioners may encounter when helping caregivers and children come to terms with HIV/AIDS sickness, death and dying. A clinical overview of children's conception of death and dying is presented, and implications for intervention are briefly outlined. (Overview)