 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Celia M. Lescano, PhD, Larry K. Brown, MD, and Renee A Johnson, BA. School of Medicine, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, 1 Hoppin Street, Coro West 2.104, Providence, RI 02903, 401-444-8539, CLescano@lifespan.org
BACKGROUND Adolescents with psychological disorders are at increased risk for HIV infection due to their participation in numerous risk-behaviors. Adolescents with a history of sexual abuse have been found to be three times more likely than adolescents without a history of sexual abuse to report inconsistent condom use (Brown, Laurie, Zlotnik & Cohn, 2000). Interventions to decrease HIV risk among adolescents have shown efficacy; however, teens with a history of sexual abuse are less likely to respond maximally to interventions. It is hypothesized that this is due to problems with affect regulation and cognitive distortions.
METHODS Therefore, to address this group of adolescents with a history of sexual abuse, components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy have been tailored to sexual situations and added to the standard, skills-based intervention.
RESULTS We hypothesize that the addition of these components will allow teens with a history of sexual abuse to benefit more fully from this HIV prevention intervention.
DISCUSSION Preliminary findings from the pilot intervention show that participants have responded positively to the added components and stated that they felt they were beneficial.
CONCLUSIONS Based on observations by group facilitators and project staff, participants have demonstrated improved ability to manage affect and cognitive distortions during role-play scenarios involving sexual situations at the end of the intervention as compared with role-plays at the beginning of the intervention.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.