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Predicting the Onset of Sexual and Drug Risk Behaviors in HIV-Negative Youths with HIV-Positive Mothers: The Role of Contextual, Self-Regulation, and Social-Interaction Factors

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Abstract

HIV-negative, inner-city adolescents with HIV-infected parents are considered to be at high risk for acquiring HIV themselves. Using a modified theory of health behavior, this study examined the effects of maternal HIV infection and psychosocial variables on the onset of sexual and drug risk behavior in 144 HIV-negative adolescents with and without HIV-positive mothers. Adolescents and their mothers were interviewed when the youths were 10–14 years old and again when they were 13–19 years old. By follow-up, 42% of youths reported the onset of vaginal sex (vs 5% at baseline). Marijuana and alcohol use increased from 6 and 38%, respectively, at baseline to 25 and 60% at follow-up. Among those reporting risk behaviors, 40--50% reported onset prior to 14 years. Youth and family psychosocial variables, but not maternal HIV status, were associated with risk behaviour outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from W.T. Grant Foundation (Principal Investigator: Claude Ann Mellins #97-1807-97), a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH63636; Principal Investigator: Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D.), and a center grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at NY State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University (P30-MH43520; Center Principal Investigator: Anke A. Ehrhardt, Ph.D).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Claude A. Mellins, Curtis Dolezal, Elizabeth Brackis-Cott, Patricia Warne & Heino F. L. Meyer-Bahlburg

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, Columbia, USA

    Ouzama Nicholson

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  1. Claude A. Mellins
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  2. Curtis Dolezal
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  3. Elizabeth Brackis-Cott
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  4. Ouzama Nicholson
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  6. Heino F. L. Meyer-Bahlburg
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Claude A. Mellins research interests include mental health, psychosocial, and public effects of maternal and pediatric HIV; interventions for HIV-affected families; and adherence.

Curtis Dolezal research interests include HIV-related sexual behavior in a variety of populations with a particular emphasis on methodology/measurement issues.

Elizabeth Brackis-Cott research interests include impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of children and families directly affected by the disease.

Ouzama Nicholson research interests include international public health and pediatric HIV infection and operational issues in developing effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection and pediatric HIV care programs.

Patricia Warne research interests include program development, structural interventions for HIV, and policy.

Heino F. L. Meyer-Bahlburg research interests include psychosexual assessment, the development and determinants of sexual risk behavior, and the effects of HIV disease on sexual functioning.

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Mellins, C.A., Dolezal, C., Brackis-Cott, E. et al. Predicting the Onset of Sexual and Drug Risk Behaviors in HIV-Negative Youths with HIV-Positive Mothers: The Role of Contextual, Self-Regulation, and Social-Interaction Factors. J Youth Adolescence 36, 265–278 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9129-3

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