United Press International - October 8, 2008

PROVIDENCE , R.I., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Family intervention is key to HIV prevention efforts in teens with mental illness, U.S. researchers suggest.

Previous research has shown that teens in mental health treatment have high rates of risky sexual behavior, such as not using condoms, which can increase their risk for HIV.

Researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center in Providence, R.I., suggest family interventions are successful in encouraging these teens to engage in safe sex, despite the cognitive and emotional effects of their mental illness.

Parental supervision -- such as knowing where your child is and what they're doing -- and parent-child communication about sex both play important roles in decreasing the HIV and sexual risks of teens with mental health issues.

"It's clear that family involvement is critical in the development of the sexual attitudes and behaviors of teenagers," lead author Wendy Hadley said in a statement.

"However, this is particularly important for teens with psychiatric disorders whose decision-making abilities may be hindered by their illness, causing them to engage in risky behaviors that can potentially expose them to HIV."

The findings were presented at the National Institute of Mental Health annual International Research Conference on the Role of Families in Preventing and Adapting to HIV/AIDS.

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