Assessing risk in young adolescents and their caregivers living in NYC family shelters

Background: This exploratory study (N = 168) of youth ages 11 to 14 years and their adult caregivers nested within NYC family shelters provides baseline data for a family and community based intervention. Objective: To describe caregiver and early adolescent risk behaviors in the context of families living in shelters in the Bronx in order to inform the development of a curriculum for a longitudinal study. Methods: Descriptive data was constructed from survey interviews of caregivers and youth on (1) HIV/AIDS/STI knowledge, (2) youth's and his/her friends' risk-taking behaviors; (3) caregiver and youth mental health; and (4) substance use. Recruitment for the program is still ongoing. Results: Preliminary risk profile reveals: 40% of youth evidence clinically elevated depressive symptoms; 44% of youth think that peers are engaging in sexual intercourse; 51% of youth have spent significant amount of time in situations of sexual possibility where gateway sexual behaviors have occurred; and 30% of youth do not believe they will abstain from sex until the 8th grade. 25% of youth reported using alcohol and 33% of parents reported using marijuana. Conclusions: Caregivers and early adolescent youth residing in NYC family shelters present elevated risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS/STI and substance using behaviors as a result of shelter life. Implications for interventions include the need to integrate evidence-based prevention components and tailoring curriculums specifically for homeless inner-city families.

Acknowledgements: HOPE is supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse (RO1 DA018574)