Educational options and AIDS-related behaviors among troubled adolescents

Examined whether educational parameters could predict AIDS-related knowledge, attitude, and behavior, controlling for sociodemographic variables, among delinquent and abused adolescents. 358 adolescents, ages 11-18 years, who were placed in 15 residential centers in Midwestern cities completed self-report questionnaires. Multivariate analyses showed that after controlling for sociodemographic factors, AIDS-related knowledge, attitude, and behaviors were predicted by educational parameters, such as relationship with teachers and educational aspirations. Data indicate that these educational parameters can be used to identify adolescents who are most at risk for HIV infection among already troubled youth. It is suggested, therefore, that the educational difficulties of troubled adolescents cannot be ignored when preventive programs for this population are planned.