Factors influencing the parenting role of African American women with HIV/AIDS
Abstract
This study explored factors which influence the parenting role of African American women with HIV/AIDS. The factors which informed the study and which were measured for their influence on the parenting role are social support, coping, spirituality, and stress. The rationale for the study was based on the growing number of African American women being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, the extended life expectancy for women being treated for the disease and the ongoing role of these women, in the face of having a terminal illness, as primary care givers to dependent children in their households. The sample of 40 subjects for this study were recruited from several sources in New York City, such as, a medical clinic, a social agency and a number were referred by respondents who had themselves been previously interviewed for this study. This was a sample of convenience. All participants were self selected volunteers. To meet the criteria for the study the client had to be an African-American woman, not necessarily U.S. born, who has been diagnosed as having HIV/AIDS; between the ages of 18–51; the primary care giver for at least one dependent child (child must be age 18 or younger and need not have been diagnosed as having HIV/AIDS) in her household. The findings showed a statistically significant relationship between spirituality and parenting and social support and parenting. The researcher discusses reasons for the women's strong tie to spirituality and implications for social work practice.
Subject Area
Social work|Womens studies|Individual & family studies|Black studies|African American Studies
Recommended Citation
Tropnas, Joan S, "Factors influencing the parenting role of African American women with HIV/AIDS" (1999). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI9991057.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI9991057
