Depression and stigma in high-risk youth living with HIV: a multi-site study.
BACKGROUND
This study explored the relationship between depression, stigma, and risk behaviors in a multi-site study of high-risk youth living with HIV (YLH) in the United States.


METHODS
All youth met screening criteria for either problem level substance use, current sexual risk, and/or suboptimal HIV medication adherence. Problem level substance use behavior was assessed with the CRAFFT, a six-item adolescent screener. A single item was used to screen for current sexual risk and for an HIV medication adherence problem. Stigma and depression were measured via standard self-report measures.


RESULTS
Multiple regression analysis revealed that behavioral infection, older age, more problem behaviors, and greater stigma each contributed to the prediction of higher depression scores in YLH. Associations between depression, stigma, and problem behaviors are discussed. More than half of the youth in this study scored at or above the clinical cut-off for depression. Results highlight the need for depression-focused risk reduction interventions that address stigma in YLH.


CONCLUSIONS
Study outcomes suggest that interventions are needed to address stigma and depression, not only among youth living with HIV, but in the communities in which they live.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Tanney@email.chop.edu
Mary R
MR
Tanney
Sylvie
S
Naar-King
Karen
K
MacDonnel
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D020276:HIV Long-Term Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057545:Social Stigma; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult