Abstract
We compared interpersonal distance and coping among two groups of pre-school pediatric patients diagnosed with either HIV or cancer and a third group of healthy children. In comparison to the children with cancer, children with HIV indicated greater mother-child interpersonal distance--a finding that correlated with mothers' reports of social withdrawal. Other notable findings included increased father-child distance in the HIV population and mother-child discrepancies of perceived interpersonal distance. In addition, seven of the children with HIV indicated that the adults turn away--a finding that correlated with the children's knowledge of their illness. We also explored the possible role of protective communication in the pediatric HIV population.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 119-131 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Children's Health Care |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1 1995 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Clinical Psychology