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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2007 Oct;97(10):1820-6.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.084871. Epub 2007 Apr 26.

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

Sung-Jae Lee  1 , Roger Detels, Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus, Naihua Duan
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Sung-Jae Lee et al. Am J Public Health. 2007 Oct.

Abstract

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.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Flow chart outlining study design: New York City, 1993–1995. Source. Adapted from Rotheram-Borus et al.
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