An intervention for parents with AIDS and their adolescent children.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated an intervention designed to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes among adolescents and their parents with AIDS.


METHODS
Parents with AIDS (n = 307) and their adolescent children (n = 412) were randomly assigned to an intensive intervention or a standard care control condition. Ninety-five percent of subjects were reassessed at least once annually over 2 years.


RESULTS
Adolescents in the intensive intervention condition reported significantly lower levels of emotional distress, of multiple problem behaviors, of conduct problems, and of family-related stressors and higher levels of self-esteem than adolescents in the standard care condition. Parents with AIDS in the intervention condition also reported significantly lower levels of emotional distress and multiple problem behaviors. Coping style, levels of disclosure regarding serostatus, and formation of legal custody plans were similar across intervention conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions can reduce the long-term impact of parents' HIV status on themselves and their children.
Rotheram-Borus
M J
MJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. rotheram@ucla.edu
Lee
M B
MB
Gwadz
M
M
Draimin
B
B
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002655:Child Custody; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric; D013240:Stereotyping; D016896:Treatment Outcome