Abstract
Although adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, few interventions have been tailored to address sexual risk for young people in substance use treatment. Guided by the Social-Personal Framework for HIV Risk Behavior, this study sought to elucidate the motives, norms, meanings, and contexts of sexuality and sexual risk behavior, especially with respect to substance use, to inform the development of tailored intervention programs for them. Using purposive sampling, we recruited a diverse sample of 30 adolescents ages 13 to 18 in five substance use treatment programs in lower and upper Manhattan in New York City. We conducted qualitative individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with adolescents. Qualitative data were analyzed for salient themes and variations using framework analysis. Several major themes emerged related to adolescent sexual experience and the salient psychosocial, relational, and contextual risk and protective factors related to sexual behavior, including thoughts and feelings about having sex; aspects of sexual safety and prevention of STIs/HIV and pregnancy; sexual decision-making; substance use and intoxicated sex; sexual abuse; and peer and family influences on sexual risk. Findings underscored the importance of STI/HIV risk prevention interventions tailored to this population of teens, including their feelings about sexual satisfaction and intimacy, safer sexual behaviors, and the role of substance use in their sexual lives. Study results may guide the adaptation of efficacious risk reduction interventions for adolescents in SUD treatment.
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