title: Bidirectional linkages between psychological symptoms and sexual activities among African American adolescent girls in psychiatric care.
abstract: The current study examines longitudinal associations between light and heavy sexual experiences and psychiatric symptoms in African American adolescent girls receiving mental health care. Research supports bidirectional associations between adolescent romantic and sexual behaviors and depression and other mental health problems, but this finding has not been examined among African American youth or in clinical samples. African American girls in psychiatric treatment suffer disparities in HIV/AIDS vulnerability, and understanding the context of girls' risk-taking (and how psychological symptoms contribute) may aid prevention efforts. Two-hundred-sixty-five African American girls seeking psychiatric care were assessed for mental health symptoms and light and heavy sexual behaviors. Participants completed a 6-month follow-up. Baseline light sexual activity predicted increased internalizing and externalizing symptoms and substance use at follow-up. Internalizing and externalizing symptoms predicted increased heavy sexual behaviors over time, including HIV-risk behaviors. Results support the association between romantic involvement and depression. Psychological symptoms may play a key role in the emergence of risky sexual behaviors among African American adolescent girls in psychiatric care and should be considered in prevention program development.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1563, USA. lstarr@ucla.edu
authors: Lisa R
authors: LR
authors: Starr
authors: Geri R
authors: GR
authors: Donenberg
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: Emerson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000208:ethnology