Psychological adjustment in children and teenagers living with HIV

Abstract

Abstract The main objective of this study was to describe the psychological adjustment in children and teenagers (n=14) between 6 and 15 years living with HIV. Quantitative study with descriptive design. Child Symptom Checklist CBCL/6-18 adapted to Latinos was used to assess psychological adjustment. Social competencies and school activities scale showed that 79% of the participants were in clinical range and 21% in the normal range. Syndrome scale showed that 43% of evaluated are in clinical range, 36% in normal range and 21% in borderline. The psychological adjustment perception referred by participant’s caregivers evidences a low level in the social capacities due to the low participation and skills in diverse activities; without links with social character organizations, minimum social red and school performance out of the expected. Also, the majority of the sample reflects psychosomatic behavior problems, aggressiveness and anxiety, indicating a psychological maladjustment of internalized and externalized type. Keywords: HIV; AIDS, Psychological adjustment; Mental health.