Sexual Abuse and Adolescent HIV Risk

Abstract

Abstract Adolescents with a history of sexual abuse are at particular risk for HIV because of difficulties with affect regulation and dysfunctional thinking that are thought to be sequelae of the abuse. These difficulties can lead to impulsivity and failure to assertively set limits in sexual situations. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has frequently been employed in the treatment of abused children and adolescents, and a variant of this, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), has been applied with abused adults. DBT may be useful as a framework for addressing affect dysregulation and dysfunctional thinking specific to sexuality within an HIV prevention intervention for abused adolescents. Important factors in the application of DBT to HIV prevention are developmental factors, the use of experiential training, and the environment in which the intervention is delivered.