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The effect of social support on mental and behavioral outcomes among adolescents with parents with HIV/AIDS.

Lee SJ, Detels R, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Duan N

Center for Community Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. sjlee@mednet.ucla.edu

OBJECTIVES: We examined the associations between social support and mental and behavioral outcomes among adolescents whose parents were infected with or died of HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Families (parents who were HIV infected and their adolescent children) were randomly assigned to a coping skills intervention or a standard care group. After completing the intervention, the parents and adolescents were assessed for 2 years. RESULTS: Adolescents who had more social support providers reported significantly lower levels of depression and fewer conduct problems; adolescents who had more negative influence from role models reported more behavior problems. Reductions in depression, multiple problem behaviors, and conduct problems were significantly associated with better social support. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the complex relations between social support and mental and behavioral outcomes among adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS. Future prevention programs must focus on increasing social support to reduce negative outcomes among adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS as well as the need to reduce influence from negative role models.

Published 26 September 2007 in Am J Public Health, 97(10): 1820-6.
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