Untangling the web: A close look at diagnosis disclosure among HIV-infected adolescents

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 307 - 309
• Main Authors: Wiener, Lori S., Battles, Haven B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-03-2006; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnosis disclosure; Family Relations; Female; Friends; HIV; HIV Infections - diagnosis; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV-positive adolescents; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Interpersonal relationships; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Peer Group; Posttraumatic stress symptoms; Psychological distress; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Sexual Behavior; Stress, Psychological; Truth Disclosure; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Young adults; United States; North America; America; Posttraumatic stress symptoms; Diagnosis disclosure; Psychological distress; HIV-positive adolescents; Social environment; Posttraumatic syndrome; Anxiety disorder; Mental health; Friendship; Family environment; Diagnosis; Public health; Human; Immunopathology; AIDS; Psychosocial factor; Immune deficiency; Stress; Infection; Symptomatology; Social interaction; Viral disease; Adolescent; Young adult; Sex partner; Self disclosure; Familial relation
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.03.024

As children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) survive into adolescence and young adulthood, attention to the relationship of diagnosis disclosure to psychological functioning, interpersonal relationships, and HIV prevention is needed. This exploratory study describes the level of adolescents’ diagnosis disclosure to family, friends, and potential sexual partners, and the relationship between disclosure and psychosocial variables.