Assessing Pregnancy Prevention and Vocational Needs of South African Adolescents and Young Adults: A Community-Based Participatory Approach

Abstract Objective This study tested the efficacy of AFFIRM, a brief affirmative cognitive-behavioural group intervention tailored to reduce psychosocial distress and improve coping among sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults (SGMY). Method SGMY (n = 138; M age = 22.44) were allocated to immediate 8-week AFFIRM intervention delivered at 12 community-based organisations or an 8-week waitlisted control. At baseline, post-intervention or post-waitlist, participants completed self-reported assessments of depression, hope, coping, and stress appraisal. Implementation outcomes of feasibility and acceptability were also assessed. Results Compared to waitlist, SGMY in the intervention condition significantly reduced their depressive symptoms (b = − 5.79, p = .001) as well as increased reports of hope (agency: b = 0.84, p = .001; pathway: b = 0.79, p = .001), and coping by emotional support (b = 0.59, p < .001), instrumental support (b = 0.67, p < .001), positive framing (b = 0.59, p < .001), humour (b = 0.36, p = .014), planning (b = 0.49, p < .001) as well as reflective coping (b = 0.27, p = .009). Intervention participants were also less likely to perceive stress as a threat (b = − 0.43, p = .001), and more likely to perceive stress as challenge (b = 0.67, p < .001) and have the resources to deal with that stress (b = 0.38, p = .016) in comparison to waitlisted control participants. All outcomes had medium to large effect sizes. AFFIRM participants reported low attrition (8.5%) and high levels of engagement and acceptability (e.g. 99% agreed intervention was relevant to their lives). Over 63% of the community organizations that participated in the training hosted AFFIRM at least once during the study. Conclusions Results demonstrate efficacy for the community-based implementation of an affirmative clinical intervention designed for SGMY to address depression and foster coping with universal and minority stressors.

Download Full-text

Long-term outcomes in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and young adults on antiretroviral therapy: a review of South African and global literature

African Journal of AIDS Research ◽

10.2989/16085906.2019.1676802 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Kim Anderson ◽

Rudzani Muloiwa ◽

Mary-Ann Davies

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

South African ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Global Literature

Download Full-text

Factors Precipitating Parasuicide among Young South African Indians

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1987.61.2.545 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 545-546 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Anthony L. Pillay

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Retrospective Study ◽

South African ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Precipitating Factors

This was a retrospective study of factors precipitating parasuicide among Indian (South African) adolescents and young adults. Two-thirds of the sample of 55 cited overly restrictive parenting as primary precipitating factors.

Download Full-text

Further Examination of Two Measures of Community-Based Social Skills for Adolescents and Young Adults with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Behavioral Disorders ◽

10.1177/019874299702300101 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 29-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michael Bullis ◽

Cheryl Davis

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Social Skills ◽

Behavioral Disorders ◽

Social Skill ◽

Emotional And Behavioral Disorders ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Future Research ◽

Community Based ◽

Male And Female ◽

Two Measures

Two measures of community-based social behavior for adolescents and young adults with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD), the male and female forms of the Test of Community-Based Social Skill Knowledge (TCSK) and the Scale of Community-Based Social Skill Performance (CBSP), were examined. In previous research, conceptually derived subsections of the two measures yielded high intercorrelations, suggesting the need to conduct further analyses to refine and shorten both instruments to make them more applicable for use in school and service programs. The male and female forms of the TCSK were each treated as one factor. Item-total correlations were computed, identifying 17 items in the female form and 15 items in the male form to be deleted. Factor analysis of the CBSP yielded a logical and psychometrically adequate factor structure, with a total of 78 items across four factors. The shortened TCSK forms and the four CBSP factors (a) yielded acceptable reliabilities, (b) discriminated among subgroups of participants, and (c) exhibited convergent and divergent correlations in hypothesized directions. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for social skills instruction and future research on the measures.

Download Full-text