Peer Mentors for Adolescents in HIV Affected Families

United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 2

Conditions

Health Behavior

HIV Seronegativity

Adolescent Behavior

Treatments

Behavioral: Peer mentoring program

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

NIH

Identifiers

NCT00056953

5R01HD37350-3

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a peer mentoring program designed for youths ages 9 to 15 whose parents or guardians are HIV infected. The program will focus on the youths' mental health, school performance, alcohol and drug use, personal and social behaviors, and behaviors that might expose them to HIV. The study is expected to enroll predominantly minority youth.

Full description

This study will conduct an efficacy trial of peer mentoring for a high-risk, predominantly minority population of 9- to 15-year-old youths whose parents are HIV infected. The study will also determine mechanisms (mediating variables) through which peer mentoring improves outcomes for the mentees, for example, consistency and continuity of relationship, teaching/role modeling, emotional support/empathy, advocacy, and behavioral reinforcement. After the conclusion of the efficacy trial, the study will continue through naturalistic longitudinal research for an additional 2 years in order to examine the long-term outcomes of peer mentoring.

Participants are randomized to either the peer mentoring program or a control condition (a recreation program). Surveys are conducted at entry into the study, at 6 months, 1 year, and then annually for 2 years. Youths will also participate in focus groups. The surveys and focus groups will assess the youths' psychological functioning, academic adjustment, alcohol and drug use, HIV risk behaviors, delinquent/violent behaviors, peer relationships, prosocial activities, and coping/problem-solving skills. The study will also evaluate family outcomes, including parent/guardian functioning and improved permanency planning.

Sex

All

Ages

9 to 15 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria