Current Life Concerns of Early Adolescents and Their Mothers:

Abstract

Focus group discussions were conducted with inner-city ethnic minority families with regard to current life concerns, mother/child communication of concerns, and the influence of maternal HIV on both of those issues. Participants included early adolescents who were HIV-negative and their mothers (one-half were HIV-positive and one-half HIV-negative). Early adolescents were most concerned about sexual activity, pregnancy, safety and violence, and drugs. Early adolescents whose mothers were HIV-positive were concerned additionally with their mothers’ sickness and death, adult responsibilities, stigma and ostracism, and an even greater uncertainty about their futures. Mothers’ concerns for their children included safety and violence, sexual activity, drugs, and parenting. Mothers who were HIV-positive also were concerned about their own HIV-related issues of stigma, disclosure, becoming ill, and children assuming adult roles. Although early adolescents and mothers reported talking to each other about concerns, the quality of those discussions was unclear. Implications for family-based HIV prevention interventions are discussed.