Future Orientation of Adolescents in Foster Care: Relationship to Trauma, Mental Health, and HIV Risk Behaviors

• NCJ Number: 232237
• Journal: Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: October-December 2009 Pages: 271-286
• Author(s): Peter Cabrera; Wendy Auslander; Michael Polgar
• Date Published: October 2009
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): RO1 HD35445
• Sponsoring Agency: Annie E. Casey Foundation; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated future orientation in certain at-risk youth.

Abstract

Future orientation has been found to protect against risky behaviors in adolescents from diverse backgrounds. However, no studies have specifically examined future orientation as a potential protective factor against HIV risk behaviors in foster care adolescents. In this study, 343 foster care adolescents were interviewed about their future orientation, mental health, trauma histories, and cognitions related to HIV risk behaviors. Results indicated variability in future orientation, but there were no significant differences by race, gender, and age. Future orientation was significantly associated with mental health, trauma, HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, behavioral intentions, and number of sexual intercourse partners. Furthermore, externalizing behaviors and attitudes toward risky behaviors each partially mediated the relationship between future orientation and number of sexual intercourse partners. Tables, figures, and references (Published Abstract)