Faculty Articles

Title

Islands of Risk Subgroups of Adolescents a Risk for HIV

ISBN or ISSN

0146-8693

Publication Title

Journal of Pediatric Psychology

Volume

31

Issue

6

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2006

First Page

619

Last Page

629

DOI Number

10.1093/jpepsy/jsj067

Abstract

To use cluster analysis to determine profiles of adolescents at risk for HIV. Methods Adolescents 15–21 years old (N = 1153) with a history of unprotected sex were assessed in five domains of risk (unprotected sex, alcohol/marijuana use, other drug use, mental health crises, and arrest/school dropout) as well as demographic, contextual, and behavioral variables. Results Cluster analysis revealed separate three-cluster solutions for males and females. Among males, clusters were characterized by (a) mental health crises and unprotected sex, (b) alcohol/marijuana use and unprotected sex, and (c) lower risk. Among females, clusters were distinguished by (a) unprotected sex, (b) substance use and mental health crises, and (c) lower risk. Cluster membership was associated with secondary variables related to sexual risk. Conclusions Even within populations of high-risk adolescents, subgroups exist for which specific risk factors co-occur, particularly unprotected sex, mental health crises, and substance use. These patterns suggest that effective HIV prevention interventions may need to target the association between mental health and/or substance abuse with sexual risk for some adolescents.

Disciplines

Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy

File Exists

mariafer/intellcont/Houck_Islands of risk Subgroups of adolescents at risk for HIV-1.pdf

Conference material published in Proceedings

Public Health

This document is currently not available here.

Peer Reviewed

Find in your library

COinS