Mental health counseling preferences amongst adolescents living with HIV, caregivers, and healthcare providers in Lilongwe, Malawi

= 42) included ALWH experiencing depression (age 13-19, BDI-II ⩾ 13), caregivers, healthcare providers, implementors, and participants of a similar counseling intervention. Findings revealed a preference for private, clinic-based individual counseling to maintain confidentiality and avoid stigma. While desired frequency for sessions varied, participants consistently wanted young (<40), mature, trustworthy, and non-judgmental counselors. Counseling sessions should address the relationship between HIV and depression and the socioeconomic stressors resulting from living with chronic, stigmatized diseases. Results emphasize the importance of confidentiality, flexibility, and choice when providing mental health services for ALWH, and the need to train lay counselors to navigate discussions around socioeconomic stressors.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Health Psychology
Published
2026-04-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053261436221
Primary Topic
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Mental health counseling preferences amongst adolescents living with HIV, caregivers, and healthcare providers in Lilongwe, Malawi

Laura Ruegsegger, Haley Hedrick, Kazione Kulisewa, Melissa A. Stockton et al.
Journal of Health Psychology
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
article

Mental health counseling preferences amongst adolescents living with HIV, caregivers, and healthcare providers in Lilongwe, Malawi

Laura Ruegsegger, Haley Hedrick, Kazione Kulisewa, Melissa A. Stockton, Nivedita L. Bhushan, Steven M. Mphonda, Jackson Devadas, Michael Mphatso Udedi, Twambilile Phanga, Griffin Sansbury, Hillary Mortensen, Jack Kramer, Brian W. Pence, Bradley N. Gaynes
article en

Abstract

= 42) included ALWH experiencing depression (age 13-19, BDI-II ⩾ 13), caregivers, healthcare providers, implementors, and participants of a similar counseling intervention. Findings revealed a preference for private, clinic-based individual counseling to maintain confidentiality and avoid stigma. While desired frequency for sessions varied, participants consistently wanted young (<40), mature, trustworthy, and non-judgmental counselors. Counseling sessions should address the relationship between HIV and depression and the socioeconomic stressors resulting from living with chronic, stigmatized diseases. Results emphasize the importance of confidentiality, flexibility, and choice when providing mental health services for ALWH, and the need to train lay counselors to navigate discussions around socioeconomic stressors.

Journal of Health Psychology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US), University of Miami (US), University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US), RTI International (US), Kamuzu Central Hospital (MW), Ministry of Health (MW), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (MW), University of Pennsylvania (US)
National Institute of Mental Health
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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