A developmental model for risk avoidance in adolescents confronting AIDS.

ABSTRACT

Epidemiologic studies indicate that HIV infection is on the rise within the adolescent population. Much of this increase has been attributed to the teenager's developmental proclivity for risk-taking behavior. Intervention programs designed to curtail high-risk behaviour among adolescents have focused primarily on educational methods alerting teenagers to modes of disease transmission. Among these programs, demonstration and role-playing techniques have shown promise, but have not significantly modified behavior patterns. In contrast, a new developmental technique known as previewing advocates the use of representation and enactment to promote risk deterrence. Previewing may serve as a productive alternative to traditional interventions, since it directly addresses the adolescent's cognitive limitations with regard to the prediction of behavioral outcomes. This paper recommends a prevention model using previewing that is designed to lower the incidence of AIDS transmission among adolescents.

ABSTRACT

PIP Experimenting with new behaviors, especially behaviors which are associated with risk, is part of growing up. This aspect of adolescence in the current context of incurable and spreading HIV infection, however, jeopardizes the medium-term health and long-term survival of many youths who have unprotected sexual intercourse. Epidemiologic studies indicate that HIV infection is on the rise within the adolescent population. The number of teens diagnosed with AIDS doubles every fourteen months. The majority of HIV-infected teens, however, do not know they are infected and lead asymptomatic, sexually active lives. Heterosexual contact in urban areas may account for as much as 15% of infections among teens. Programs aiming to reduce the level of unprotected sexual intercourse and other behaviors posing risk for HIV infection and transmission typically teach individuals about modes of disease transmission and how to protect themselves. This approach has not been very successful in changing behavior. This paper describes the new developmental technique known as previewing as a potential alternative intervention approach. Significant imminent events in a teen's life are first mentally represented, then rehearsed with peers to experiment with the probable outcomes of behaviors. Previewing focuses adolescents upon future aspirations, works to strengthen teens' ability to accurately predict the consequences of actions, and tries to provide adolescents with practical skills needed to engage in safe sex in real-life situations. A case study of a 15-year old girl is used in describing the technique.