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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: Examine behavioral, social, and mental health status of adolescents whose parents are living wfth AIDS (PLWA and evaluate the efficacy of an intervention program.
METHODS: In New York Gty 225 HIV infected parents {85% mothers) and their non-infected adolescent children (N = 325) were randomly assigned to a cognitive-behavioral skills intervention (36,6-hour woricshops) or a standard care condition. Assessments of the adolescents' behavioral, social, and emotional adjustment were monitored over one year Results. Parents (Latino, 41 %. African-American, 37% M age - 37.4 years) had predominantly contracted HIV through their own (24%) or their sexual partners injecting drug use (éé%). AiI had either advanced HIV disease or were diagnosed with AIDS. Each had a mean of 2.6 children (1.2 adolescents). Adolescents {M age = 14.6 years) demonstrated risk acts similar to their same-age, same-ethnic peers in nationaJ studies: 65% were sexually active, 74% abstained from drug use, 12% had attempted suicide, 86% were currently enrolled in school, and less than 4% had ever been arrested Parents and their adolescents received a series of intensive 6-hour workshops that met individually and jointly over 36 sessions Parent workshops focused on enhancing adjustment to their illness, disclosure of illness to tteir children, custodial arrangements, parenting skills, and maintaining positive family rouur.es while A. Adolescent workshops focused on establishing heatthy daily routines that did not include unsafe sex or drug use, initiating a positwe relationship with their ill parent and strategies for adjustment to the new custodial parent after the parent's death.The intervention at three months significantly influenced the parents' initiation of legal custodial arrangements (44 5c). disclosure of illness within the family, and parental risk behavior Aoolescent behavior ts significantly related to parents' disclosure: those wnose parents disclosed HIV/AlDS status engaged m Significantly more sexual nsk acts. Custodial arrangements are associated wan significantly fewer sexual nsk aas. Adjustment to custodial parent for 95 adolescents wii> aiso be presented Conclusions: PL WA increase the level of custody planning for their chud wnen information. supoort o' othe'' PLWAs and skills training is provided. Their non-infected adolescents show increased risk behavior related to parental disclosure. How-eve-: cjstoaia1 aTngements seemec to mediate 'his to some extent.
Language: en |