Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 9 of 9
Mental health functioning among children and adolescents with perinatal HIV infection and perinatal HIV exposure
- Authors:
- MALEE Kathleen M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 23(12), December 2011, pp.1533-1544.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study investigated prevalence of mental health problems (MHPs) among young people with perinatal HIV exposure, including both perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) and perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (PHEU). Participants included 416 young people who were interviewed with the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd edition (BASC-2) to estimate rates of at-risk and clinically significant MHPs, including caregiver-reported behavioural problems and youth-reported emotional problems. Findings revealed that the overall prevalence of MHPs at entry was 29% and greater than expected based on recent national surveys of the general population. MHPs were more likely among PHEU (38%) than among PHIV+ (25%). Factors associated with higher odds of MHPs at included caregiver characteristics such as psychiatric disorder, limit-setting problems, health-related functional limitations, and participant characteristics such as younger age and lower IQ. These findings suggest that PHEU children are at high risk for MHPs. The authors concluded that family-based prevention and intervention programmes for HIV affected young people and their caregivers may minimise long-term consequences of MHPs.
HIV and mental health
- Author:
- JACOBS Nicola
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, June 2011, pp.29-32.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
There is an increasing awareness of the relationship between HIV and mental health. This article reports on research undertaken by the National AIDS Trust looking at psychological support for people living with HIV. Data gathered from focus groups and an expert seminar showed that: 1) experiences of mental health services varies across the country; 2) psychological support is most valued at times of stress; and 3) psychological intervention can make a considerable difference to long term health and well being.
Employment status is associated with both physical and mental health quality of life in people living with HIV
- Authors:
- RUEDA Sergio, et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 23(4), April 2011, pp.435-443.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study evaluated the relationship between employment status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 361 Canadian people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants provided baseline data in the context of an ongoing cohort study examining the natural history of neurobehavioral functioning and its effects on HRQOL. Information collected included; demographic status, HIV disease markers, psychosocial symptom burden, neurocognitive function and HRQOL (MOS-HIV). Regression analyses were used to evaluate the contribution of employment status to the physical and mental health components of quality of life (QOL). Employment status was strongly related to better physical and mental health QOL after controlling for potential confounders. However employment status had a greater impact on physical health than mental health QOL. The effect of employment on physical health QOL was stronger than that observed for ethnicity, social support, or having an AIDS diagnosis and was comparable to that observed with having many HIV-related symptoms. The authors conclude there may be physical and mental health benefits associated with obtaining or keeping employment or, more likely, that there is an interactional and reinforcing process.
Substance use and mental health problems as predictors of HIV sexual risk behaviors among adolescents in foster care
- Authors:
- THOMPSON Ronald G. Jr., AUSLANDER Wendy F.
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 36(1), February 2011, pp.33-43.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which substance use and specific mental health problems increase the likelihood of adolescents engaging in HIV sexual risk behaviours. It used data collected through interviews with a sample of 320 adolescents, aged from 15-18 years, who had been placed in foster care or other out-of-home care by the child welfare services of a midwestern metropolitan area in the US and had participated in a larger evaluation study of an HIV prevention programme. This article describes the research and its results. It confirmed that many of the foster care adolescents interviewed used substances, reported mental health problems, and engaged in sexual activities without condoms. Alcohol and marijuana were the most commonly used substances, and delinquent behaviour and marijuana use were the most significant predictors of engaging in any one HIV risk behaviour. The authors highlight the importance of further research to identify risk and protective factors for substance use, mental health problems and HIV sexual risk behaviours, and develop effective prevention efforts targeting these factors among adolescents in foster care.
The sexual victimization of women: substance abuse, HIV, prostitution, and intimate partner violence as underlying correlates
- Author:
- TAYLOR Ozietta D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21(7), October 2011, pp.834-848.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Sexual victimisation is a devastating crime with lifelong consequences. These lifelong effects can manifest themselves the forms of substance abuse, the human immunodeficiency virus, prostitution, intimate partner abuse, and an array of psychological disorders. Women entering into substance abuse treatment programmes may be coping with the underlying issues of childhood sexual assault or sexual trauma after childhood. This article starts discussing the major implications of the sexual victimisation of women across the life domain. It then discusses the treatment services needed to address the various issues faced by sexual assault victims. These women may be in need of therapeutic interventions to alleviate or eradicate the symptoms associated with the posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Further, treatment services may be needed to address the physiological and psychological symptoms of substance use disorders and intimate partner violence. Medical treatment is required for women affected with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Family therapy and parenting sessions can serve to rehabilitate the entire family system.
Modified therapeutic community aftercare for clients triply diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders
- Authors:
- SACKS Stanley, et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 23(12), December 2011, pp.1676-1686.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper describes the evaluation of a clinical trial of a modified therapeutic community aftercare (MTCA) programme for triply diagnosed users with HIV/AIDS, a substance use disorder, and a mental disorder. Seventy six subjects were randomly assigned to MTCA or to standard aftercare. Follow-up interviews assessed eight outcome domains and adherence to prescribed HIV medication. At the six-month follow-up, clients with greater psychological functioning and stable physical health at baseline had greater improvement overall and for substance use and mental health than standard aftercare clients in the same stratum. In contrast, standard aftercare clients with poorer psychological functioning and improved physical health had more favourable outcomes overall and for substance use than their MTCA counterparts. Differences in HIV medication adherence were not detected. Clients with greater psychological functioning and stable health at treatment entry benefited more from the MTCA programme. The authors concluded that measuring physical and mental health during treatment and could be important in future research.
High prevalence of childhood emotional, physical and sexual trauma among a Canadian cohort of HIV-seropositive illicit drug users
- Authors:
- WALTON Georgia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 23(6), June 2011, pp.714-721.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of various types of childhood maltreatment (sexual, physical and emotional abuse and physical or emotional neglect) and to examine the links between childhood maltreatment and later health and functioning. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, a 28-item validated instrument, was used to retrospectively assess childhood maltreatment in a community-recruited cohort of adult HIV-seropositive illicit drug users living in Vancouver (n=233; 83 women). Logistic regression was used to estimate relationships between sub-types of childhood maltreatment with various social-demographic, drug-using and clinical characteristics. Moderate or severe emotional childhood abuse was reported by 51.9% of participants, emotional neglect by 36.9%, physical abuse by 51.1%, physical neglect by 46.8% and sexual abuse by 41.6%. Analyses revealed that emotional, physical and sexual abuse were independently associated with greater odds of recent incarceration. Emotional abuse and neglect were independently associated with depression. There was no association between any form of childhood maltreatment and clinical HIV variables, including viral load, CD4+ count and antiretroviral therapy. These results confirm the high prevalence of childhood abuse experienced by HIV positive illicit drug users and the need for evidence-based resources to address the deleterious effect it has on the health and social functioning.
Assessing health care needs among street homeless and transitionally housed adults
- Authors:
- BARRETT Blake, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(3), May 2011, pp.338-350.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In 2009, there was an estimated 9,566 homeless people in Hillsborough County, FL. This article reports on the results of a survey conducted by the lead agency responsible for coordinating homeless services in Hillsborough. The survey aimed to examine the health care needs and receipt of health services of street and transitionally housed homeless persons in the county. In March-May 2008, a total of 823 homeless individuals were interviewed in street-based locations, shelters, drop-in centres, and meal sites using a comprehensive survey. The participants reported extensive lifetime and current needs for physical and behavioural health care services. More than a third (37.2%) reported having a physical or mental disability that impaired everyday activities. The majority reported a need for dental (60.2%) and eye (54.2%) care. More than a quarter (27.0%) reported an HIV diagnosis. In addition, nearly a half of the sample (49.1%) reported having being diagnosed with a mental or emotional problem, and a third (33.4%) reported currently having a substance abuse problem. The study provides evidence of the wide prevalence of health service needs, the lack of health services received, the accordant gap in unmet medical treatment, and the primary utilisation of costly and acute sources of care among homeless persons.
The interplay of syndemic production and serosorting in drug-using gay and bisexual men
- Authors:
- MOELLER Robert W., HALKITIS Perry N., SURRENCE Katie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 23(1), January 2011, pp.89-106.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examines the relationships between mental health, substance use, and sexual behaviours among gay and bisexual men using syndemics theory. Syndemics is used to investigate the mutually reinforcing interaction of multiple medical and social problems. A sample of 450 gay and bisexual club drug-using men from New York City were assessed with regard to sociodemographic characteristics, frequency and type of club drug use, HIV status, mental health status, and sexual behaviour with casual partners. Risk scores for each participant were based on the variables measuring substance use and mental health burden. The findings showed that participants with higher risk scores were significantly more likely to engage in risk behaviours. Risk taking was also explained by serosorting, in which individuals use HIV status to select sexual partners, frequently to select sexual partners of a similar HIV status to themselves. Serosorting may serve as a strategy to reduce the risk of contracting HIV or infecting partners with the HIV virus. The findings suggest that the interplay between social, emotional, and cognitive factors is important to understand sexual risk taking.