Mother-child interaction in the presence of maternal HIV infection

This comparative study evaluated mother-child interaction in southeastern U.S. mother-child dyads where the mother was HIV positive and determined if the presence of maternal HIV infection was associated with differences in the quality of the mother-child interaction. A comparison was made between two groups of mother-child dyads, one where the mother was HIV positive (N = 25) and one where the mother was not HIV positive (N = 25). The Barnard model of mother-infant interaction guided this study. The quality of interaction within the dyads was assessed using the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scales (NCATS). Associated maternal, child, and environmental factors were described using an interview form, Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screener. The quality of mother-child interaction in the two groups was compared using chi square and paired t tests. Findings from this research showed no statistically significant difference in mother-child interaction (measured by NCATS) between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups. Although maternal symptoms of depression were noted in more of the HIV-positive mothers, covariant analysis failed to show this factor had any significant influence on mother-child interaction scores between the groups. It was noted that total sample (N = 50) group mean scores on NCATS maternal subscale and total interaction were significantly lower than published population norms. As the mother-child interaction has critical implications for the child, strategies to improve reciprocity need to be developed in this population, and attention must be paid to mental health needs of HIV-positive women.