A Parental Support Group in a Pediatric Aids Clinic: Its Usefulness and Limitations

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Abstract
This article describes a support group for parents and caretakers of children being treated for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a hospital outpatient clinic. Issues involved in the establishment of the group are discussed, including the population, the setting, the choice of group modality, planning of the group, and recruitment and composition of the group. Predominant group themes included guilt, fear, anger, and loss of control. Specific issues raised included deterioration in the child's condition, myths about HIV transmission, and coping with death. Therapeutic interventions by leaders and group members are described. The need to use alternate models of support groups and to allow departures from standard group techniques in this context is emphasized.

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