Family-based HIV-Prevention for adolescents with psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Family factors are influential in both HIV/AIDS-risk behavior and mental illness, and thus, families can be a critical resource in HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, especially for young people with psychiatric problems. Surprisingly few HIV-risk reduction programs capitalize on the strengths of families to prevent risk behavior while simultaneously addressing mental health. This chapter reviews current research on the association of mental health, HIV/AIDS-risk behavior, and behavioral interventions with special emphasis on the role of families in improving health outcomes for young people. Given the paucity of available empirically validated family-based interventions, we describe an innovative and highly promising program for teens with in mental health treatment based on the Social-Personal Framework of HIV/AIDS-risking mental health issues.