Abstracts

Psychology and mental health

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Potential HIV exposure in psychiatrically hospitalized adolescent girls

Article Abstract:

To estimate the prevalence of AIDS risk-related behavior among psychiatrically hospitalized female adolescents, and to identify subgroups at high risk for HIV-infection, 33 girls aged 12 to 17 in a psychiatric facility were studied. After routine gynecologic assessment, sexual and substance abuse histories were assessed. Corroboration of patient's reports were sought by interviews with parents, guardians and social agencies. Thirty-nine percent of the girls had no history of drug use, 13 percent occasionally used legal or illegal drugs except cocaine, 17 percent occasionally used alcohol and cigarettes, another 13 percent used legal and illegal drugs including cocaine, and 17 percent used cocaine and at least one other drug on a daily basis. Girls classified at high risk for HIV infection were those who reported unprotected intercourse with partners whose sexual histories were unknown, who had more than six sexual partners, or who had unprotected intercourse with a partner who used intravenous drugs. Seventy-eight percent of the girls (whose average age was 14) had been sexually active. Fifty-seven percent reported one or more high-risk activities. Four girls had various sexually transmitted diseases, and eight girls received a clinical diagnosis of (antisocial) conduct disorder. Level of drug use was significantly related with multiple sexual partners, high-risk activities and sexually transmitted diseases. In previous studies among adults, similar relationships have been found between alcohol and cocaine abuse and high-risk behavior for HIV infection. Younger girls reported more sexual contacts and heavier drug use than older teens. Results indicate that heavy substance abuse and childhood antisocial behavior point to increased HIV-risk behavior among female teenage psychiatric patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Behavior, HIV infection, HIV infections, Diseases, Teenage girls, Psychiatric hospital patients

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Developmental arrest and maternal loss in an adolescent girl with lupus erythematosus and terminal renal failure

Article Abstract:

A psychiatric case involving a 19-year-old African American female high school student with developmental problems complicated by illness and maternal loss is presented. The girl had been afflicted with systemic lupus erythematosus since she was 10 years old. By age 15 she had developed renal failure, as well as other complications, as a result of the disease. In the same year, she had also lost her mother. The course of her treatment is described, and the transcript of an actual psychiatric session as well a discussion of her case are presented.

Case studies, Mental illness, Mental disorders, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Acute renal failure, Acute kidney failure, Bereavement, Adolescent psychiatry

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Incremental progress in developmental psychopathology: simply complex

Article Abstract:

Advances in developmental psychopathology are discussed. Topics include psychopathological risk factors, dimensional approaches, the role of early epigenetic events such as child abuse, and the need for early intervention to prevent mental disorders in childhood.

Editorial, Analysis, Psychology, Pathological, Psychopathology, Developmental psychology

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