Mental Health Problems and Sexual Abuse Among Adolescents in Foster Care: Relationship to HIV Risk Behaviors and Intentions

Abstract

Adolescents in foster care present with multiple psychosocial and mental health problems that individually are associated with increased risk for HIV infection. However, few studies have examined empirically the interrelationships among these problems and HIV risk behaviors in this population. This study examined the sexual abuse histories and mental health problems among 343 youths in foster care to determine their association with HIV-risk behaviors and behavioral intentions. Results indicated that 25% reported internalizing behaviors (withdrawn, somatic complaints, depressed) and 28.3% reported externalizing behaviors (delinquent and aggressive behaviors). Of the sample, 37% reported some form of prior sexual abuse. Multivariate analyses using simultaneous entry of variables indicated that controlling for demographic variables and behavioral intentions, externalizing behaviors showed the strongest relationship with HIV-risk behaviors. Likewise, in the multivariate model, it was most strongly associated with behavioral intentions. Moreover, there was a significant race-by-gender interaction, with White females engaging in more risky behaviors than their male counterparts and youths of color.