Childhood neglect and adulthood involvement in HIV-related risk behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
Much research has been done to examine the long-term effects of being victimized by sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse in childhood, but much less research has focused on the impact of childhood neglect experiences. This study examines the role that childhood neglect has on adult women's involvement in HIV-related risky behaviors.


METHODS
The data come from a study of 250 "at risk" women living in the Atlanta, GA metropolitan area, most of whom were African American. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews between 1997 and 2000. Multiple regression was used to explore the relationship between childhood neglect experiences, self-esteem, attitudes toward condom use, and involvement in HIV-related risky behaviors.


RESULTS
Overall, the model tested received strong support by the study data. Childhood neglect led to reduced self-esteem. Neglect was associated with worsened attitudes toward condom use and women who experienced childhood neglect also reported more involvement in HIV risk behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV intervention programs ought to target women who have experienced childhood neglect, as neglect experiences have adverse impacts upon their self-esteem, condom-related attitudes, and HIV risk behavior practices in adulthood.
Klein
Hugh
H
Department of Sociology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Elifson
Kirk W
KW
Sterk
Claire E
CE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data