Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS: Research Findings from the Social Sciences

The response to children with AIDS is often misguided and irrational. Consequently, infected infants and children must suffer not only the deadly effects of the disease, but ostracism, fear, neglect and stretched medical resources as well. Responding to the high demand for information on pediatric and adolescent AIDS, this volume provides a concise, integrated, and up-to-date review of social science research, clinical work, and theory. Initial chapters provide a necessary understanding of the medical and epidemiological aspects of the disease. Subsequent chapters on AIDS knowledge and attitudes, adolescent sexual behavior, and adolescent intravenous drug use illustrate why adolescents may represent the next wave of the epidemic. Treatment and prevention approaches are discussed, and the many complex ethical and legal issues surrounding clinical and research aspects of pediatric and adolescent AIDS are delineated. Finally, research priorities for the early 1990s are suggested. Well written and researched, Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS is the first review of social science research that pertains specifically to pediatric AIDS. Graduate students, researchers, and professionals in the fields of psychiatry, medicine, nursing, social work, education, and law will find this a valuable resource. "The impact of AIDS and HIV on the adolescent and pediatric age groups is effectively presented in this well-written book. Differences in the clinical features of children with AIDS as compared to adults is documented, and attitudes, knowledge, and behavior of this age group are presented. . . .The book provides a wealth of information regarding the disease and a lengthy and valuable reference list. The data presented are alarming, but informative and interesting. A valuable asset to any library, public or personal." --Choice "The book has much to recommend it. The strengths and weaknesses of attitutde and knowledge survey methods among adolescents are well presented. American legal casework regarding the schooling of HIV infected children adds a disturbing and important dimension to the discussion." --Nursing Times "Scott Henggeler, Gary Melton, and James Rodrigue have drawn upon their expetise in behavior problems of adolescence, ethics and law, and prevention to create a thorough review of the multidisciplinary literature on pediatric and adolescent HIV infection which has developed over the past decade. The chapters on adolescent sexual behavior and injecting drug use are particularly well written and insightful. . . . Their book provides a framework for research in these underserved and understudied populations, and highlights the methodological shortcomings of the poorly designed instruments and studies which have characterized early literature. . . . It is unusual to find a book that so adequately addresses the needs of adolescents for HIV and AIDS prevention. . . . Their recommendations for increasing our understanding of adolescent sexuality and injecting drug abuse are of great importance and should not be overlooked." --Journal of Pediatric Psychology "The tone of the book is uniformly sensitive and compassionate. It is written in such a clear way as to make easy reading. . . . For the reader who seeks greater depth of information the text is referenced richly from the current research literature. . . . This book is a fine introduction to the issues of pediatric and adolescent AIDS and should prove a valuable and challenging read for all concerned with child welfare services, student and practitioner alike." --Health and Social CareJames R. Rodrigue is the author of 'Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS: Research Findings from the Social Sciences', published 1992 under ISBN 9780803939837 and ISBN 0803939833.