Mental health in youth infected with and affected by HIV: the role of caregiver HIV.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of youth and caregiver HIV status, and other contextual and social regulation factors with youth mental health.


METHODS
Data were from two longitudinal studies of urban youth perinatally infected, affected, and unaffected by HIV (N = 545; 36% PHIV+ youth; 45.7% HIV+ caregivers). Youth mental health was measured using the Child Behavior Checklist, the Child Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children.


RESULTS
HIV+ youth reported elevated scores on the CDI compared with HIV- youth. HIV+ caregivers reported fewer symptoms and were less likely to report scores in the clinical range for their children on the CBCL compared with HIV- caregivers. Caregiver mental health and parent-child communication and involvement were also associated with youth mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
Youth who resided with HIV+ caregivers had better mental health. Future research needs to further explore the role of caregiver HIV infection in youth mental health. Understanding and building upon strengths of HIV-affected families may be an effective focus of interventions for this population.
Elkington
Katherine S
KS
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Sciences, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive #15, New York, NY 10032, USA. ke2143@columbia.edu
Robbins
Reuben N
RN
Bauermeister
José A
JA
Abrams
Elaine J
EJ
McKay
Mary
M
Mellins
Claude A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires