Toward a conceptual model linking community violence exposure to HIV-related risk behaviors among adolescents: directions for research.

PURPOSE

To present a conceptual framework which accounts for the relationship between community violence exposures (CVEs) and youth HIV risk behaviors.

METHODS

This article provides an overview of existing research on the links between CVE and HIV risk for youth and offers a conceptual framework for clarifying how CVE might contribute to HIV sexual risk behaviors.

RESULTS

Increasing empirical findings substantiate that the links between CVE and HIV risk behaviors among youth are mediated by psychological problem behaviors, low school success rates, and negative peer influences.

CONCLUSIONS

Researchers have identified the behaviors that place teens at risk for becoming infected with HIV. However, most scholars have overlooked the potential importance of CVE in influencing such behaviors. This article presents new directions for adolescent research and HIV interventions on the basis of an integrated conceptual framework.