Mental health outcomes in HIV and childhood maltreatment : a systematic review
Date
2012-06
Authors
Spies, Georgina
Afifi, Tracie O.
Archibald, Sarah L.
Fennema-Notestine, Christine
Sareen, Jitender
Seedat, Soraya
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: High rates of childhood maltreatment have been documented in HIV-positive men and women. In addition, mental disorders are highly prevalent in both HIV-infected individuals and victims of childhood maltreatment. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the mental health outcomes associated with childhood maltreatment in the context of HIV infection. The present systematic review assessed mental health outcomes in HIV-positive individuals who were victims of childhood maltreatment. Methods: A systematic search of all retrospective, prospective, or clinical trial studies assessing mental health outcomes associated with HIV and childhood maltreatment. The following online databases were searched on 25–31 August 2010: PubMed, Social Science Citation Index, and the Cochrane Library (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems, HIV/AIDS, and Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis registers). Results: We identified 34 studies suitable for inclusion. A total of 14,935 participants were included in these studies. A variety of mixed mental health outcomes were reported. The most commonly reported psychiatric disorders among HIV-positive individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment included: substance abuse, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. An association between childhood maltreatment and poor adherence to antiretroviral regimens was also reported in some studies. Conclusion: A broad range of adult psychopathology has been reported in studies of HIV-infected individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment. However, a direct causal link cannot be well established. Longer term assessment will better delineate the nature, severity, and temporal relationship of childhood maltreatment to mental health outcomes.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.systematicreviewsjournal.com/content/1/1/30
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
HIV positive persons -- Psychology, Adult child abuse victims
Citation
Spies, G. et al. 2012. Mental health outcomes in HIV and childhood maltreatment : a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 1(1), 30:1-28, doi:10.1186/2046-4053-1-30.