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Added benefits: reduced depressive symptom levels among African-American female adolescents participating in an HIV prevention intervention

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Abstract

Adolescents experience elevated depressive symptoms which health promotion interventions may reduce. This study investigated whether HIV prevention trial participation decreased depressive symptoms among African-American female adolescents. Adolescents (N = 701; M age = 17.6) first received a group-delivered HIV prevention intervention and then either 12 sexual health (intervention condition) or 12 general health (comparison condition) phone counseling contacts over 24 months. ACASI assessments were conducted at baseline, and at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post-baseline. Linear generalized estimating equations were used to detect percent relative change in depressive symptoms. Participants reported a 2.7 % decrease in depressive symptoms (p = 0.001) at each assessment. Intervention participants endorsed an additional 3.6 % decrease in depressive symptoms (p = 0.058). Trial participation was associated with reduced depressive symptomatology, particularly among those receiving personalized sexual health counseling. HIV prevention interventions may benefit from incorporating additional content to address adolescents’ mental health needs.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (5R01 MH070537) to the fifth author. Additional support was provided by the Emory Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI050409) and the Center for Contextual Genetics & Prevention Science (P30 DA027827). Jennifer L. Brown was supported by K12 GM000680 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Jessica M. Sales was supported by K01 MH085506 from the National Institute of Mental Health. Andrea Swartzendruber was supported by F32 AA022058 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Texas Tech University, MS 2051, Lubbock, TX, 79409-2051, USA

    Jennifer L. Brown

  2. Department of Behavioral Sciences & Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Jessica M. Sales, Andrea L. Swartzendruber, Ralph J. DiClemente & Eve S. Rose

  3. Centers for AIDS Research, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Jessica M. Sales, Andrea L. Swartzendruber & Ralph J. DiClemente

  4. Rawls College of Business, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA

    Michael D. Eriksen

  5. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Ralph J. DiClemente

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  1. Jennifer L. Brown
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  2. Jessica M. Sales
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  3. Andrea L. Swartzendruber
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  4. Michael D. Eriksen
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  5. Ralph J. DiClemente
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  6. Eve S. Rose
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Correspondence to Jennifer L. Brown.

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Brown, J.L., Sales, J.M., Swartzendruber, A.L. et al. Added benefits: reduced depressive symptom levels among African-American female adolescents participating in an HIV prevention intervention. J Behav Med 37, 912–920 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-013-9551-4

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