Ronald G. Thompson|Wendy Auslander
Substance Use and Mental Health Problems as Predictors of HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors among Adolescents in Foster Care
Columbia University
study examined relationship substance use mental health problems hiv sexual risk behaviors among sample foster care adolescents data collected structured baseline interviews 320 adolescents ages 15 18 years resided foster care placements participated larger evaluation study hiv prevention program final logistic regression models indicated delinquent behavior marijuana use significant predictors engaging one hiv risk behavior adolescents reported delinquent behaviors alcohol use marijuana use female likely counterparts engage vaginal sex without using condom future research needed identify risk protective factors substance use mental health problems hiv sexual risk behaviors among adolescents foster care hiv prevention efforts vulnerable adolescents target substance use delinquent behaviors