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Shehan CL, Uphold CR, Bender JM, Garzarella L. Emotional Bonds between Mothers and their HIV+ Sons. Paper presented at: National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference; 2004 Nov 1; Orlando, FL.
The importance of mothers as providers of emotional and instrumental support to sons with HIV/AIDS has been documented in previous research. In this study, we examine HIV+ sons' evaluations of their relationships with their mothers. One-hundred and twelveHIV+ men from the Southeast provided information about their relationships with their mothers (using the Depth of Relationships Inventory). Results show that middle-aged sons (mean age = 44) perceive their mothers to be only moderately important in the management of their illness but are of greater significance as providers of socio-emotional support. However, sons see themselves as important providers of help to their mothers, even though they are dealing with a life-threatening illness.
