Clinical depression and HIV risk-related sexual behaviors among African-American adolescent females: Unmasking the numbers

Abstract

Clinically depressed and non-depressed African American adolescent females aged 13-19 (N = 131) were interviewed and surveyed to determine the relationship between depression and HIV risk-related sexual behaviors. Narratives indicate that the psychopathology of depression may create situations where the target population could become exposed to HIV. Specifically, depressed participants described feelings of loneliness, isolation and wanting somebody to “comfort them” as aspects of depression that affect the decisions they make about sex and relationships. In essence, sex was viewed as a stress reliever, an anti-depressant and a way to increase self-esteem. They shared that even if they didn't feel like having sex, they might just “git it over wit” so they're partners would stop asking. Some also discussed financial and emotional stability offered by older, more sexually experienced partners. These age-discordant relationships often translated into trusting that their partners knew what was best for their sexual relationships (i.e. having unprotected sex). Sixty-nine percent (n = 88) of the sample reported engaging in sexual activity. Given their mean age (16 ± 1.9) participants had been sexually active for 2 ± 1.8 years. The adolescents reported an average of 2 ± 1.8 sexual partners within the past three months. Depressed participants reported a higher frequency of having ever had sex (78% vs. 59%, X2= 5.236, p = .022), and had a higher mean number of sexual partners (2 vs. 1, t= −2.023, p= .048) and sexual encounters under the influence of drugs and alcohol (8 vs. 2, t= −3.078, p = .005) in the past three months. The results of this study can guide the modification and/or development of tailored HIV/STI prevention programs. The findings provide explicit, psychologically and culturally relevant information regarding the interaction between depression, self-medicating behaviors and risk for HIV/STIs among clinically depressed African American adolescent females.

Depression and Its Relation with HIV Risk and Social Well-Being among the Brothel-Based Female Sex Workers in Kolkata, India

“…Studies in the USA have identified high level of mental illnesses such as depression among sex workers [15]. Scholars have noted that depression is significantly associated with the high risk of becoming HIV infected [16,17].…”

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“…This finding is in accordance with previous studies that have suggested an association between anxiety and engagement in risk behaviors. According to the literature, the higher the severity of anxiety symptoms is, the higher the risk of involvement in risk behaviors (e.g., unsafe sex) and novelty seeking, usually as a result of impulsive decisionmaking (53,54). The sample assessed cannot be considered representative of club drug users in Brazil, as individuals were selected using convenience sampling.…”

A Multilevel Understanding of HIV/AIDS Disease Burden among African American Women

“…Mental Health and Substance Use-Psychological symptoms linked to HIV riskrelated behaviors include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress; and are often the result of exposure to violence or secondary to learning difficulties, mood disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or psychoses (Brawner, Gomes, Jemmott, Deatrick & Coleman, 2012;Brown et al, 2010). Comorbidities like alcohol and substance abuse contribute to the psychopathology, and further increase the chance of HIV/STI riskrelated sexual behaviors such as multiple lifetime partners, more frequent sexual intercourse, unprotected sex, and trading sex for money or drugs (Lorvick et al, 2012).…”