Date of Conferral

8-17-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

So`Nia Gilkey

Abstract

Although the social problem of pediatric HIV disclosure has been studied by researchers internationally, there remains a gap in the experiences of social workers in facilitating this process. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of social workers in the United States regarding the disclosure process for HIV positive children. This study was grounded in Rosenstock’s health belief model, which posits that an individual will take necessary action to prevent or manage a disease based on their perceptions of health. This model was effective in helping to identify what social workers think about their clients’ health beliefs as they pertain to the pediatric HIV disclosure process. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with eight social workers from HIV clinics and hospitals. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants. Data collected from participants were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic process. Key themes that emerged include (a) psychosocial support during and after disclosure, (b) caregiver barriers to disclosing to children, (c) trust and risk as disclosure precursor, and (d) need for caregiver support. These findings can have implications for positive social change by informing social work practice of the importance of continued education, development, and training of social workers as it relates to pediatric HIV care and the immediate and long-term effects of pediatric HIV disclosure needs of families.

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