An intervention was evaluated to improve social, behavioral, and mental health outcomes for adolescents and their parents with AIDS (PWA). PWA (n=307) and their children aged 11-18 years (n=412) were randomly assigned to an intensive intervention or a standard care control condition, and over 3 years, 95% were reassessed at least once annually. Adolescents in the intensive intervention condition reported significantly lower levels of emotional distress, multiple problem behaviors, conduct problems and family-related stressors and higher self-esteem than adolescents in the standard care condition over 2 years. PWA in the intervention condition also reported significantly lower levels of emotional distress and multiple problem behaviors. Coping style, levels of disclosure regarding serostatus, and making legal custody plans were similar across intervention conditions. Data from the third year of assessments are in the process of being analyzed. Interventions can reduce the long-term impact of parental HIV status on themselves and their children.
Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will: 1. Acquire information on the outcomes of an HIV-prevention intervention for adolescents whose parents live with AIDS, 2. Be able to identify the steps to implementing a successful intervention with parents and their adolecents, and 3. Learn how to apply the knowledge gained from this intervention to their individual needs
Keywords: Adolescents, Intervention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.