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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: AIDS Behav. 2017 Sep;21(9):2703–2715. doi: 10.1007/s10461-016-1508-5

Contributions of Disease Severity, Psychosocial Factors, and Cognition to Behavioral Functioning in US Youth Perinatally Exposed to HIV

Katrina D Hermetet-Lindsay 1,6,7,, Katharine F Correia 2, Paige L Williams 2, Renee Smith 3, Kathleen M Malee 4, Claude A Mellins 5, Richard M Rutstein 1; for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study
PMCID: PMC5280576  NIHMSID: NIHMS807153  PMID: 27475941

Abstract

Among perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) and perinatally HIV-exposed, uninfected (PHEU) youth, we evaluated the contributions of home environment, psychosocial, and demographic factors and, among PHIV only, HIV disease severity and antiretroviral treatment (ART), to cognitive functioning (CF) and behavioral functioning (BF). A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was utilized. Exploratory factor analysis was used to reduce predictor variables to major latent factors. SEMs were developed to measure associations between the latent factors and CF and BF outcomes. Participants included 231 PHIV and 151 PHEU youth (mean age = 10.9 years) enrolled in the PHACS adolescent master protocol. Youth and caregivers completed assessments of CF, BF, psychosocial factors and HIV health. Medical data were also collected. Clusters of predictors were identified, establishing four parsimonious SEMs: child-assessed and caregiver-assessed BF in PHIV and PHEU youth. Among both groups, higher caregiver-child stress predicted worse BF. Caregiver resources and two disease severity variables, late presenter and better past HIV health, were significant predictors of CF in PHIV youth. Higher youth CF was associated with better caregiver-reported BF in both groups. Caregiver resources predicted caregiver-reported BF in PHEU youth, which was mediated via youth CF. Among PHIV youth, better past HIV health and caregiver resources mediated the effects of CF on caregiver-assessed BF. Using SEMs, we found a deleterious impact of caregiver and child stress on BF in both groups and of HIV disease factors on the CF of PHIV youth, reinforcing the importance of early comprehensive intervention to reduce risks for impairment.

Keywords: Cognition, Behavior, HIV, Youth, Structural equation models, Antiretroviral therapy

Introduction

Despite advances in medical treatment in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), children and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIV) and perinatal HIV exposure (PHEU) remain at-risk for impaired cognitive functioning (CF) and behavioral functioning (BF) [1, 2]; etiology of deficits are varied and complex. HIV-related cognitive dysfunction can manifest across a wide range of severity levels. Mild to moderate selective deficits, including decreased attention and concentration, reduced speed of information processing, executive dysfunction, and verbal memory impairment [3, 4], have been observed in both PHIV and PHEU youth. Global cognitive impairment has been noted among PHIV and PHEU, particularly among PHIV youth with CDC class C diagnosis (AIDS) and severe progressive encephalopathy [4]. Behavioral problems, which are more prevalent among PHIV and PHEU youth compared to the general population [5, 6], include externalizing and internalizing problems, as well as DSM-IV and DSM-V psychiatric diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [514]. Behavioral problems may be exacerbated in the presence of cognitive impairment [15].

Prospective longitudinal investigations during the era of HAART have contributed to existing knowledge regarding the etiology and nature of cognitive and behavioral sequelae of HIV infection and exposure. Potential mechanisms by which HIV and/or HAART impact brain development and function include neuronal injury prior to HAART, neuronal injury secondary to inflammatory responses and neurotoxic viral effects of in utero antiretroviral exposure for PHIV and PHEU youth [1, 16]. Markers of HIV disease severity are associated with white matter microstructure changes and cognitive deficits among youth with PHIV [17].

Recent studies have identified the significant impact of psychosocial and contextual factors, such as family income, parental education, and stress, on neural plasticity and brain structure and function throughout development [1820]. Among both PHIV and PHEU youth, poverty, limited family resources and highly stressful caregiving environments are not uncommon and may be implicated to varying degrees in the quality of cognitive and behavioral functioning and the presence and persistence of deficits or disorders [12, 21].

HIV disease-related factors, psychosocial factors and environmental characteristics have been evaluated simultaneously via multivariate modeling in an effort to identify their differential and combined impact on cognitive and behavioral outcomes. However, synthesis of findings has been difficult due to methodological differences, including the wide variation in participants and number and types of factors that were evaluated in statistical modeling. Few investigations have examined the complex interactions, multiple pathways and directionality of disease-related and psychosocial factors inherent to the longitudinal impact of HIV infection and HIV exposure on children and adolescents [2, 22]. Comparing developmental pathways of youth with PHIV and PHEU youth with in utero HIV/ARV exposure will potentially elucidate the unique contributions of HIV in the context of similar environmental risk factors and may contribute to our understanding of the service needs of youth with PHIV and a growing population of youth globally who are exposed to HIV but remain uninfected [2, 5, 6, 9, 14].

Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct and indirect relationships of HIV disease, HAART therapies, home environment and psychosocial factors with both cognitive and behavioral functioning in youth with PHIV; we also evaluated the indirect effects of these factors on behavioral functioning among PHIV youth, as mediated by their effects on cognition. To more fully understand the risks associated with in utero HIV and ART exposure among PHEU youth, we examined the relationships of home environment and psychosocial factors with cognitive and behavioral functioning.

Methods

Participants

Data for these analyses were obtained from the adolescent master protocol (AMP) of the pediatric HIV/AIDS cohort study (PHACS), a prospective, longitudinal study examining the impact of perinatal HIV infection and antiretroviral (ARV) therapy on children and adolescents affected by HIV. PHIV and PHEU youth were enrolled in 15 AMP sites in urban areas of the United States including Puerto Rico. Eligibility criteria included: (1) perinatal HIV exposure, (2) age 7–<16 years at study entry, (3) English or Spanish speaking, and (4) among PHIV youth, engaged in medical care with available ARV history (see Table 1).

Table 1. Demographic and psychosocial factors by cohort for 382 youth enrolled in PHACS AMP study with perinatal HIV-infection or HIV-exposed but uninfected.

Characteristica HIV infection status

Perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) (N = 231) Perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected (PHEU) (N = 151) Total (N = 382)
Youth characteristics
Age at entry (yrs), mean (SD) 11.3 (2.3) 10.3 (2.2) 10.9 (2.3)
Age at cognitive assessment (yrs), mean (SD) 13.7 (2.0) 13.0 (1.8) 13.4 (1.9)
Age at behavioral assessment (yrs), mean (SD) 15.3 (2.4) 14.3 (2.2) 14.9 (2.3)
Gender
 Male 106 (46 %) 75 (50 %) 181 (47 %)
 Female 125 (54 %) 76 (50 %) 201 (53 %)
Race/ethnicity
 White non-hispanic 14 (6 %) 8 (5 %) 22 (6 %)
 Black non-hispanic 154 (67 %) 84 (56 %) 238 (62 %)
 Hispanic 52 (23 %) 52 (34 %) 104 (27 %)
 Other/not reported 11 (5 %) 7 (5 %) 18 (5 %)
Cognitive functioning from WISC or WAIS, mean (SD)
 Full scale IQ 85.9 (15.7) 88.2 (14.0) 86.8 (15.1)
 Verbal 88.4 (15.4) 87.9 (14.0) 88.2 (14.9)
 Processing speed 88.6 (15.1) 91.2 (13.7) 89.6 (14.6)
 Perceptual reasoning 90.1 (15.1) 92.8 (14.9) 91.2 (15.0)
 Working memory 88.1 (14.9) 90.7 (13.1) 89.1 (14.3)
Behavioral functioning from BASC-2, mean (SD)
Child-reported T-scores
 Personal adjustment 51.8 (8.7) 52.3 (8.0) 52.0 (8.4)
 Internalizing 46.1 (8.9) 45.7 (8.8) 45.9 (8.9)
 School problems 48.2 (9.6) 47.5 (9.6) 47.9 (9.6)
 Inattention/hyperactivity 50.9 (11.6) 50.6 (11.0) 50.8 (11.4)
Caregiver-reported T-scores
 Adaptability 51.3 (10.7) 47.8 (10.4) 49.9 (10.7)
 Internalizing 47.7 (10.2) 49.9 (12.2) 48.5 (11.0)
 Externalizing 49.1 (10.7) 51.9 (10.9) 50.2 (10.8)
Caregiver characteristics
Caregiver WASI category
 <70 8 (3 %) 8 (5 %) 16 (4 %)
 70– < 85 64 (28 %) 47 (31 %) 111 (29 %)
 85+ 100 (43 %) 53 (35 %) 153 (40 %)
 Not done 59 (26 %) 43 (28 %) 102 (27 %)
Caregiver relationship
 Single biological parent 70 (30 %) 88 (58 %) 158 (41 %)
 Both biological parents 31 (13 %) 33 (22 %) 64 (17 %)
 Other 130 (56 %) 30 (20 %) 160 (42 %)
Marital status of caregiver
 Married or widowed 124 (53 %) 55 (37 %) 179 (47 %)
 Separated/divorced 36 (16 %) 26 (17 %) 62 (16 %)
 Single, never married 71 (31 %) 70 (46 %) 141 (37 %)
 Parent-child relationship inventory (PCRI): any problem (support, involvement, communication, limit-setting) 90 (40 %) 57 (41 %) 147 (40 %)
 Caregiver is high school graduate 175 (76 %) 104 (69 %) 279 (73 %)
 Caregiver mental health problem 58 (27 %) 54 (38 %) 112 (31 %)
 Caregiver drug abuse 5 (2 %) 6 (4 %) 11 (3 %)
# drugs used last 6 months (self-reported)
 0 132 (62 %) 74 (51 %) 206 (58 %)
 1 44 (21 %) 36 (25 %) 80 (22 %)
 2 or more 37 (17 %) 34 (24 %) 71 (20 %)
Household characteristics
Annual household income <$20 K
Total # in household 95 (43 %) 99 (67 %) 194 (52 %)
 1–2 67 (29 %) 45 (30 %) 112 (29 %)
 3–4 100 (43 %) 74 (49 %) 174 (46 %)
 5 or more 64 (28 %) 32 (21 %) 96 (25 %)
# supported by household income
 1–2 35 (15 %) 21 (14 %) 56 (15 %)
 3–4 100 (43 %) 69 (46 %) 169 (44 %)
 5 or more 96 (42 %) 61 (40 %) 157 (41 %)
# Stressful life events
 0 103 (45 %) 56 (37 %) 159 (42 %)
 1 55 (24 %) 39 (26 %) 94 (25 %)
 2–3 51 (22 %) 39 (26 %) 90 (24 %)
 4+ 22 (10 %) 17 (11 %) 39 (10 %)
Life events checklist: # negative life events
 0 or less 70 (31 %) 32 (21 %) 102 (27 %)
 1–2 78 (35 %) 53 (35 %) 131 (35 %)
 3–4 40 (18 %) 27 (18 %) 67 (18 %)
 5+ 31 (14 %) 37 (25 %) 68 (18 %)

SD standard deviation, BASC-2 behavioral assessment system for children, second edition, WISC-IV wechsler intelligence scales for children, WAIS-IV wechsler adult intelligence scales, WASI wechsler abbreviated scales of intelligence

a

Characteristics not available or not reported for some participants, including race/ethnicity (18), household income (12), caregiver mental health, drug abuse, and # drugs reported on the Client Diagnostic Questionnaire (25), # negative life events from the Life Events Checklist (8), and parent–child relationship inventory (18)

In order to be included in this analysis, AMP subjects were additionally required to have a valid assessment of CF at the 3 year AMP visit and a valid assessment of both child- and caregiver-reported BF within the subsequent 2 years. Each assessment is rated for validity by the centrally-trained, administering psychologist then reviewed by a quality assurance team who re-assesses appropriateness of data inclusion based on the specific research questions under study.

Procedures

AMP was approved by all sites' Institutional Review Boards and by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Parents, legal guardians or youth ≥18 years provided written informed consent; youth <18 years provided assent according to age and local institutional review board guidelines.

Data collection for AMP occurred at study entry and at 6 month (2007–2010) and annual (2010–2014) visits. These included physical exam, medical record review, and structured demographic interviews. Cognitive data were collected at year 3 study visit and behavioral evaluations were completed within 2 years of cognitive evaluation. Psychosocial and biomedical information from the entry visit and information regarding stressful life events from the one year visit were included in this analysis.

Measures

Predictor (exogenous) Measures

Psychosocial Factors

Psychosocial measures indicative of potential sources of familial stress and support were examined including the caregivers' relationship to the child (e.g., birth parent, adoptive parents) and marital status (e.g., married/widowed, separated/divorced, single/never married), the family's annual household income and number of family members supported by it, caregiver illicit drug use in the last 6 months, the caregiver's high school graduation status and IQ as assessed on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence [23], the parent–child relationship as measured on the parent–child relationship inventory [24] and specific information related to all stressful events as assessed on the caregiver report of Quality of Life and negative life events as assessed by the child on the Life Events Checklist [25].

HIV Control (HIV Severity and Treatment)

Biomedical markers were examined to identify both past and current HIV disease status, including nadir and current CD4 %, peak and current HIV RNA plasma levels (viral loads, VL), HIV-related encephalopathy prior to entry, and prior AIDS defining condition based on center for disease control and prevention (CDC) class C criteria. Age of initiation of HAART, and specific components of the regimen (PI vs NNRTI based), were considered, as well as age at peak VL and nadir CD4 %.

Outcome (endogenous) Measures

Cognitive Functioning (CF)

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (25: WISC-IV) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (26: WAIS-IV) were used as the primary endogenous indicators of current CF. The WAIS-IV and WISC-IV demonstrate high reliability and validity [26, 27] and are widely used for research and clinical practice with adolescents and children with HIV infection [2832]. Each measure provides age-normed standard scores in four domains: verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed (mean score = 100; SD = 15).

Behavioral Functioning (BF)

The Behavioral Assessment System for Children (33: BASC-2) was used as the primary BF outcome. The BASC-2 has demonstrated good reliability and validity [33] and has been used in both research and clinical practice for children and adolescents with HIV [5, 3436]. The BASC-2 is comprised of four behavioral indices for the child version (youth self-report: YSR) and three behavioral indices of the adult version (parent rating scale: PRS) and includes information pertaining to internalizing and externalizing problems, school and behavior problems, and adaptive behavior. Raw scores attained are converted into age-normed standard scores for each index, with higher scores reflecting greater behavioral problems (mean = 50; SD = 10).

Statistical Analysis

We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to reduce the large number of predictor variables to a smaller set of latent factors. We then built SEMs to measure associations between the latent factors representing meaningful clusters of predictors and the CF and BF outcomes. Exploratory factor analyses were performed separately for PHIV and PHEU youth. Pearson correlations were used for the factor analysis on CF and BF outcome variables (domain scores for CF and behavioral indices for BF). For the factor analyses on predictor variables, a mixed correlation matrix was created with Pearson correlations calculated between two continuous measures, polychoric correlations calculated between two ordinal measures, and polyserial correlations calculated for a continuous measure with an ordinal measure. All factor analyses used squared multiple correlations as prior communality estimates, the principal factor method of extraction, and an oblique varimax rotation. The number of factors retained was based on the eigenvalues, scree plot, and interpretability of the rotated factor patterns.

Based on the number and nature of latent variables identified in the factor analyses, four separate SEMs were then analyzed and included (1) child-assessed BF among PHIV youth, (2) caregiver-assessed BF among PHIV youth (3) child-assessed BF among PHEU youth, and (4) caregiver-assessed BF among PHEU youth. The structure of these SEMs is shown in Fig. 1. Factor loadings and standardized path coefficients with p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Overall SEM fit was assessed using absolute (standardized root mean square residual, SRMR), parsimony (root mean square error of approximation, RMSEA), and incremental (Bentler Comparative Fit Index, CFI) indices. Adequate fit is generally described as having a CFI greater than 0.9 and RMSEA less than 0.05. statistical analysis software (SAS) version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA) was used for all analyses.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Conceptual models post-EFA. a PHIV caregiver-assessed BF Model, b PHEU caregiver-assessed BF model

Results

Study Population

Of the total 678 enrolled in AMP (see Table 1), 382 had complete data and met the stringent analyses requirements. A total of 296 subjects (43 %) could not be included in our analysis, consisting of 48 % of the 451 PHIV youth and 33 % of the PHEU youth. The majority of these (n = 182, 62 %) did not have a CF assessment at the year 3 visit, and an additional 100 youth had a CF assessment but did not have both a parent and child BF assessment completed (47 had neither, and 53 were lacking one or the other). Ten subjects had both the parent and child BASC completed, but it was not 2 years after the CF assessment. Finally, four subjects were confirmed to have an invalid assessment of either CF or BF after team review. A summary of the background demographic and psychosocial characteristics for the 382 eligible subjects is provided in Table 1, overall and by cohort. The subjects were on average 11 years old at entry (SD = 2.49), just over half female, and primarily Black, including those who self-identify as African–American, as well as other racial categories such as Black Caribbean. Those included in the analysis were younger on average than those not included, but did not differ in terms of other sociodemographic characteristics such as sex, race, caregiver makeup, ethnicity, parental education or family income. Table 2 provides a summary of HIV-related clinical and laboratory markers.

Table 2. HIV and ARV-related characteristics for youth with perinatal HIV infection.

Characteristic Total perinatally HIV-infected (N = 231)
Measures of past disease severity
 Nadir CD4 %, median (IQR) 19 (12, 25)
 Age at nadir CD4 %, yrs, median (IQR) 3.40 (1.50, 8.10)
 Peak HIV RNA viral load (log10 copies/mL), median (IQR) 5.67 (5.10, 5.88)
 Age at peak viral load, yrs, median (IQR) 1.80 (0.40, 4.70)
 CDC Class C (AIDS-defining diagnosis), N (%) 56 (24 %)
 HIV-related encephalopathy prior to entry, N (%) 19 (8 %)
 Age at HAART initiationa (yrs), median (IQR) 2.20 (0.60, 4.90)
Measures of disease severity at study entry
 Entry CD4 %, median (IQR) 34 (28, 39)
 Entry RNA viral loada (log10 copies/mL), median (IQR) 2.34 (1.70, 2.63)
 Entry HIV RNA <400 copies/mL 171 (75 %)
 ARV regimen at entry, N (%) HAART with PI 162 (70 %)
HAART without PI 38 (16 %)
Non-HAART ARV 19 (8 %)
Not on ARV 12 (5 %)

ARV antiretroviral, CDC centers for disease control and prevention, IQR interquartile range (25th percentile, 75th percentile), HAART highly active antiretroviral therapy (defined as at least 3 ARV drugs from at least 2 drug classes), PI protease inhibitor

a

2 participants had no available viral load measures within 6 months prior to study entry; age at HAART initiation was not available for 3 participants

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA): CF and BF Outcome (Endogenous) Measures

All domains (subscales) of CF assessed on both the WISC-IV and WAIS-IV exhibited moderate correlations with each other (r = 0.36–0.66) across the PHEU, PHIV groups and overall sample. The eigenvalues and scree plot from the EFA clearly indicated that a single factor (“Cognitive Functioning”) could be retained.

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA): Predictor (Exogenous) Variables

Among PHIV youth, results of the EFA supported a 3-factor model for the disease severity variables, including “better past HIV health” (higher nadir CD4 %, no HIV related encephalopathy at entry, no CDC Class C diagnosis), “HIV Control (HAART with PI at study entry, HAART without PI at study entry, other ARV at study entry, lower CD4 % at entry, higher log entry RNA) and “late presenter” (age at HAART initiation, age at nadir CD4 %, age at peak VL, log peak VL). The EFA also identified three factors among the psychosocial variables: “Home Environment” (caregiver relationship to child, caregiver marital status, annual household income <$20,000, number of drugs used by caregiver in last 6 months, number supported by household income), “caregiver-child stress” (any problem as assessed on the PCRI, caregiver mental health problem as assessed on the CDQ, number of negative life events, number of stressful life events) and “caregiver resources” (intellectual and educational resources, including caregiver IQ and high school graduation status).

Among the PHEU youth, results of the EFA supported a 3-factor model: “caregiver relationship” (any problem as assessed on the PCRI, caregiver is biological parent, annual household income <$20,000, caregiver married or widowed, caregiver separated or divorced), “caregiver-child stress” (caregiver mental health problem as assessed on the CDQ, number of stressful life events, number of negative life events, number of drugs used in the last 6 months, number supported by household income), and “caregiver resources” (caregiver WASI >/equal to 85, caregiver WASI not completed, annual household income <$20,000 (double loading) and caregiver high school graduation status). The loading factors for all EFAs are summarized in Supplemental Tables 1 (PHIV) and 2 (PHEU).

SEMs for PHIV Youth

Child-reported BF model

Significant positive associations were observed for Better Past HIV Health and Caregiver Resources with higher CF (standardized coefficient = 0.40, Z = 4.45, p < 0.001 and standardized coefficient = 0.33, Z = 4.55, p < 0.001, respectively; Table 3), and a negative association observed between late presenters and CF (standardized coefficient = −0.19, Z = −2.28, p < 0.05). caregiver-child stress was the only significant predictor of child-reported BF, suggesting that higher levels of stress were associated with higher scores (worse) on BF (standardized coefficient = 0.51, Z = 3.45, p < 0.001).

Table 3. Structural equation model (SEM) direct path coefficients for perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) and perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected (PHEU) youth in PHACS AMP study.
Model and fit statistics Latent predictor Cognitive functioning coefficient (SE), Z, p value Behavioral functioning coefficient (SE), Z, p-value
SEM models in PHIV youth, N = 231
Model A. child-assessed behavioral functioning
SRMR = 0.0814, RMSEA = 0.0800
BCF Index = 0.6127
RF12==0.22
Cognitive functioning −0.20 (0.107), Z = −1.89, 0.06
Late presenter −0.19 (0.084), Z = −2.28, 0.02 0.11 (0.099), Z = 1.07, 0.28
Better past HIV health 0.40 (0.089), Z = 4.45, < 0.001 0.16 (0.122), Z = 1.33, 0.18
HIV Control 0.05 (0.098), Z = 0.54, 0.59 0.04 (0.112), Z = 0.38, 0.70
Home environment 0.05 (0.100), Z = 0.47, 0.64 −0.12 (0.116), Z = −1.01, 0.31
Caregiver-Child stress 0.20 (0.127), Z = 1.56, 0.12 0.51 (0.147), Z = 3.45, < 0.001
Caregiver resources 0.33 (0.072), Z = 4.55, < 0.001 0.02 (0.084), Z = 0.25, 0.80
Model B. Caregiver-assessed behavioral functioning
SRMR = 0.0818, RMSEA = 0.0826
BCF Index = 0.6412
RF12==0.22
Cognitive functioning −0.29 (0.109), Z = −2.68, 0.007
Late presenter −0.19 (0.084), Z = −2.27, 0.02 0.03 (0.103), Z = 0.27, 0.78
Better past HIV health 0.39 (0.089), Z = 4.42, < 0.001 0.24 (0.125), Z = 1.92, 0.06
HIV Control 0.05 (0.098), Z = 0.50, 0.61 0.04 (0.114), Z = 0.39, 0.70
Home environment 0.06 (0.102), Z = 0.54, 0.59 −0.20 (0.123), Z = −1.63, 0.10
Caregiver-Child stress 0.18 (0.128), Z = 1.42, 0.16 0.50 (0.153), Z = 3.25, 0.001
Caregiver resources 0.34 (0.072), Z = 4.68, < 0.001 0.15 (0.090), Z = 1.69, 0.09
SEM models in PHEU youth, N = 151
Model C. Child-assessed behavioral functioning
SRMR = 0.0809
RMSEA = 0.0634
BCF Index = 0.8282
RF12==0.14
Cognitive functioning −0.13 (0.124), Z = −1.06, 0.29
Caregiver Stress 0.15 (0.120), Z = 1.25, 0.21 0.40 (0.124), Z = 3.21, 0.001
Caregiver relationship 0.32 (0.107), Z = 3.00, 0.003 0.11 (0.133), Z = 0.80, 0.42
Caregiver resources 0.37 (0.100), Z = 3.76, < 0.001 −0.01 (0.116), Z = −0.05, 0.96
Model D. Caregiver-assessed behavioral functioning
SRMR = 0.0831 RMSEA = 0.0751
BCF Index = 0.7898
RF12==0.49
Cognitive functioning −0.54 (0.116), Z = −4.61, < 0.001
Caregiver Stress 0.12 (0.118), Z = 1.03, 0.30 0.58 (0.111), Z = 5.28, < 0.001
Caregiver relationship 0.32 (0.107), Z = 2.95, 0.003 0.21 (0.127), Z = 1.67, 0.10
Caregiver resources 0.38 (0.098), Z = 3.90, < 0.001 0.25 (0.114), Z = 2.23, 0.03

SE standard error, SRMR standardized root mean square residual, RMSEA root mean square error of approximation, BCF index bentler comparative fit index, RF12 = is the R2 for the behavioral functioning factor

Caregiver-Reported BF Model

Very similar associations were observed: positive associations of better past HIV health and caregiver resources with higher CF and a negative association of late presenters with CF. Caregiver-child stress was again found to be associated with higher (worse) scores for caregiver-reported BF (standardized coefficient = 0.50, Z = 3.25, p < 0.01). A negative association (standardized coefficient = −0.29, Z = −2.68, p < 0.01) was found between CF and caregiver-reported but not child-reported BF.

SEMs for PHEU Youth

Child-Reported BF Model

Caregiver-child stress was associated with child-assessed BF (standardized coefficient = 0.40, Z = 3.21, p < 0.01) indicating that higher levels of stress were associated with higher (or worse) BF scores (or worse BF). Among PHEU youth, both caregiver relationship and caregiver resources were positively associated with CF (standardized coefficient = 0.32, Z = 3.00, p < 0.01, and standardized coefficient = 0.37 Z = 3.76, p < 0.001 respectively; Table 3).

Caregiver-Reported BF Model

For caregiver-reported BF, caregiver relationship and caregiver resources were positively associated with CF, and caregiver-child stress showed a stronger association with BF (standardized coefficient = 0.58, Z = 5.28, p < 0.001) than observed with child-report. In addition, Caregiver Resources was associated with higher (worse) BF scores (standardized coefficient = 0.25; Z = 2.23, p < 0.05). Similar to PHIV youth, a negative association was observed between CF and caregiver-reported BF in PHEU youth (standardized coefficient = −0.54; Z = −4.61, p < 0.001).

Direct, Indirect and Total Effects on Behavioral Functioning

No indirect effects of the latent predictors were observed for child-reported BF among PHIV youth (see Table 4). Only caregiver-child stress had a significant direct effect on BF, which contributed to the significant total effect for this predictor (total effect = 0.47, Z = 3.29, p < 0.01). For caregiver-assessed BF, caregiver-child stress again had a direct effect on BF which contributed to the significant total effect for this latent predictor (total effect = 0.44, Z = 3.03, p < 0.01). In addition, better past HIV health and caregiver resources exhibited significant indirect effects on caregiver-reported BF (indirect effect = −0.12, Z = −2.05, p < 0.05, and indirect effect = -0.10, Z = −2.28, p < 0.05, respectively; Table 4).

Table 4. Direct, indirect and total effects on behavioral functioning from full structural equation models (SEMs) for perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) and perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected (PHEU) youth in PHACS AMP study.

Model Latent predictor Behavioral functioning coefficient (SE), Z, p-value

Direct Indirect Total
SEM Models in PHIV+ youth, N = 231
Model A. Child-assessed behavioral functioning Late presenter 0.11 (0.099), Z = 1.07, 0.28 0.04 (0.027), Z = 1.44, 0.15 0.15 (0.095), Z = 1.51, 0.13
Better past HIV health 0.16 (0.122), Z = 1.34, 0.18 −0.08 (0.050), Z = −1.59, 0.11 0.08 (0.105), Z = 0.79, 0.43
HIV control 0.04 (0.112), Z = 0.38, 0.70 −0.01 (0.021), Z = −0.51, 0.61 0.03 (0.111), Z = 0.29, 0.77
Home environment −0.12 (0.116), Z = −1.01, 0.31 −0.01 (0.020), Z = −0.48, 0.63 −0.13 (0.115), Z = −1.10, 0.27
Caregiver-child stress 0.51 (0.147), Z = 3.45, 0.001 −0.04 (0.039), Z = −1.02, 0.31 0.47 (0.139), Z = 3.29, 0.001
Caregiver resources 0.02 (0.084), Z = 0.25, 0.80 −0.07 (0.038), Z = −1.75, 0.08 −0.05 (0.076), Z = −0.60, 0.55
Model B. Caregiver-assessed behavioral functioning Late presenter 0.03 (0.103), Z = 0.27, 0.78 0.06 (0.033), Z = 1.68, 0.09 0.08 (0.098), Z = 0.86, 0.39
Better past HIV health 0.24 (0.125), Z = 1.92, 0.06 −0.12 (0.056), Z = −2.05, 0.04 0.12 (0.107), Z = 1.16, 0.25
HIV control 0.04 (0.114), Z = 0.39, 0.70 −0.01 (0.029), Z = −0.49, 0.62 0.03 (0.113), Z = 0.26, 0.79
Home environment −0.20 (0.123), Z = −1.63, 0.10 −0.02 (0.029), Z = −0.56, 0.58 −0.22 (0.122), Z = −1.78, 0.08
Caregiver-child stress 0.50 (0.153), Z = 3.25, 0.001 −0.05 (0.049), Z = −1.09, 0.28 0.44 (0.146), Z = 3.03, 0.002
Caregiver resources 0.15 (0.090), Z = 1.69, 0.09 −0.10 (0.043), Z = −2.28, 0.02 0.05 (0.080), Z = 0.67, 0.50
SEM models in PHEU youth, N = 151
Model C. Child-assessed behavioral functioning Caregiver relationship 0.11 (0.133), Z = 0.80, 0.42 −0.04 (0.044), Z = −0.96, 0.34 0.06 (0.120), Z = 0.54, 0.59
Caregiver resources −0.01 (0.116), Z = −0.05, 0.96 −0.05 (0.048), Z = −1.03, 0.30 −0.05 (0.103), Z = −0.53, 0.60
Caregiver Stress 0.40 (0.124), Z = 3.21, 0.001 −0.02 (0.027), Z = −0.73, 0.47 0.38 (0.121), Z = 3.13, 0.002
Model D. Caregiver-assessed behavioral functioning Caregiver relationship 0.21 (0.127), Z = 1.67, 0.10 −0.17 (0.075), Z = −2.24, 0.02 0.04 (0.118), Z = 0.36, 0.72
Caregiver resources 0.25 (0.114), Z = 2.23, 0.03 −0.20 (0.073), Z = −2.79, 0.005 0.05 (0.101), Z = 0.50, 0.62
Caregiver Stress 0.58 (0.111), Z = 5.28, < 0.001 −0.07 (0.070), Z = −0.93, 0.35 0.52 (0.111), Z = 4.70, < 0.001

Among PHEU youth, no indirect effects of the latent predictors on child-reported BF were observed (see Table 4). However, caregiver resources and caregiver relationship both had significant indirect effects on caregiver-reported BF (indirect effect = −0.20, Z = −2.79, p < 0.01, indirect effect = −0.17, Z = −2.24, p < 0.05, respectively; Table 4), although the total effects were not significant for these two factors.

Model fit

Based on standard fit statistics for overall model fit in SEMs, we did not observe a strong fit for either caregiver-reported or child-reported BF models in both study populations (PHIV and PHEU; see Table 3), reflecting the small number of factors associated with BF.

Discussion

The present study is one of the first to statistically explore the differential impact of home environment, psychosocial factors, and cognitive functioning on the behavioral functioning of youth infected with or affected by HIV, using structural equation modeling to identify the best combination of concomitant factors that contribute to cognitive and behavioral functioning. The inclusion of PHEU youth within this study allowed us to examine and compare the psychosocial and socio-demographic variables that uniquely contribute to their behavioral and cognitive profiles. Previous research regarding PHIV and PHEU youth has noted that both groups may be born into similar vulnerable communities but may not share the same opportunities and access to comprehensive medical and mental health care.

For PHIV youth, we were additionally interested in the role of HIV disease severity and treatment history and the individual and combined influences on both cognitive and behavioral functioning. Our results indicate that caregiver and family characteristics and histories of stressful life events predicted worse behavioral functioning scores among youth with PHIV and PHEU, aligning with theoretically driven hypotheses and earlier studies regarding the deleterious impact of stressful circumstances on cognitive and behavioral risk among the general population and HIV-exposed youth [2, 37, 38]. Although a causal relationship cannot be established, our results suggest that youth whose families experience multiple personal and psychosocial stressors are at higher risk for CF and BF problems, regardless of their HIV infection status.

Among youth with PHIV, two HIV- disease severity variables, late presenter and better past HIV health, were significant predictors of cognitive functioning, supporting previous observations regarding consequences of earlier severe HIV disease progression and the importance of early access to effective ART [30, 39]. These findings also align with current research regarding the function of age of presentation and its association with both clinical presentation of the disease and later CF [16]. Interestingly, in the caregiver-reported BF models for both PHIV and PHEU youth, higher child CF was associated with significantly lower (better) caregiver-reported BF, supporting resilience theories that identify intelligence as a protective asset that is linked with more positive outcomes among youth in general and among those with chronic illness, such as HIV [40].

The findings in the current study have important implications for clinical practice. In both PHIV and PHEU models, caregiver resources, including caregiver cognitive function, high school graduation status and family income (PHEU only), was an important predictor of both CF and BF (caregiver-reports only), as observed in earlier studies [4143]. Consideration of caregiver characteristics may clarify appropriate resource options for children, caregivers and families, particularly in the context of multiple stressful life experiences. Collaborative child, caregiver, and family care, including appropriate educational, psychological and social support, may reduce long-term cognitive and behavioral risk for perinatally HIV-exposed children, regardless of the child's HIV status. This is clearly important for those PHIV youth who experienced early severe HIV disease, and may be at increased risk for cognitive impairment, and more vulnerable to the adverse effects of family/psychosocial risk. For those youth who experienced early severe HIV disease, ongoing monitoring of cognitive deficits, as well as other important family stressors is important for optimal remediation effects. Our data also suggest it is necessary for PHEU youth and their families who may have less consistent access to ongoing comprehensive medical care and community resources.

The present study extends current understanding of the roles of psychosocial and disease severity factors on CF and BF among HIV-affected youth, but is not without limitations. The strict inclusion criteria as well as requirements of longitudinal study participation may have increased the possibility of sampling bias and limited generalizability of findings. Although SEM was initially termed “causal modeling” [44], the ability to infer an explicitly causal relationship between the exogenous and endogenous variables remains controversial [45]. In addition, model fit statistics (e.g. SRMR, RMSEA, and Bentler Comparative Fit Index) for the final models were not ideal. However, the goal of this investigation was to examine the effects of HIV-related and psychosocial characteristics on BF and to evaluate whether CF mediated these relationships rather than to test every potential predictor within a single regression model or develop the best predictive model for BF. Utilizing other statistical methodologies such as hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), future studies should examine caregiver and stress-related factors, their continuity, and their longitudinal impact on both cognitive and behavioral functioning to better describe developmental trajectories of youth affected by HIV.

It is important to note that while the goal of the following paper was to allow a comprehensive assessment of multiple domains and their complex inter-relationships with both CF and BF, the variables included in this study are by no means exhaustive. Behavioral functioning during dynamic periods of child and adolescent development is inherently variable and difficult to predict among those at heightened risk, particularly due to factors such as puberty and its particular impact on disease course and both behavioral and psychosocial functioning. Recent investigations have begun to explore the role of puberty in HIV intervention, including its role in treatment adherence [46], first sexual activity and disclosure [47], identity development and adolescent-oriented mental health care [48] and disease-related factors, such as age associated metabolic complications [49] and renal dysfunction [50] which further add to the complicated task of statistically capturing behavioral and cognitive functioning and its impact on disease outcomes during this developmental period.

We were able to identify several significant associations and also detected pathways which were seemingly less important for BF. The results confirm the importance of acknowledging the influence and ongoing interactions of caregiver and psychosocial characteristics, home environment, and for those with HIV, early HIV health history, on the pathways to later developmental outcomes. In addition, the present study supports not only the utilization of SEM as a useful approach to understand complex interrelationships among psychosocial factors, cognition and behavioral outcomes of youth affected by HIV, but also the use of exploratory factor analytic strategies to “fine-tune” and create a more parsimonious model prior to SEM. Going forward, the key factors that served as potential predictors may be utilized to establish assessment, prevention, and treatment methodologies that acknowledge the powerful impact of individual and family stress, caregiver and youth resources, and both past disease severity and timing of disease presentation in order to establish risk profiles and culturally appropriate, evidence-informed services for those in our community who remain most vulnerable to HIV.

Supplementary Material

Supplemental Table 1
Supplemental Table 2

Acknowledgments

We thank the children and families for their participation in PHACS, and the individuals and institutions involved in the conduct of PHACS. We would like to extend a special thanks to Pim Brouwers, Associate Director of Infant, Child & Adolescent Research at the National Institutes of Health for his guidance and expertise. We also extend our gratitude to both Laurie Dooley and Danish Siddiqui for their support regarding data organization and management. The following institutions, clinical site investigators and staff participated in conducting PHACS AMP in 2014, in alphabetical order: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago: Ram Yogev, Margaret Ann Sanders, Kathleen Malee, Scott Hunter; Baylor College of Medicine: William Shearer, Mary Paul, Norma Cooper, Lynnette Harris; Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center: Murli Purswani, Mahboobullah Baig, Anna Cintron; Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center: Ana Puga, Sandra Navarro, Patricia Garvie, James Blood; Children's Hospital, Boston: Sandra Burchett, Nancy Karthas, Betsy Kammerer; Jacobi Medical Center: Andrew Wiznia, Marlene Burey, Molly Nozyce; Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School: Arry Dieudonne, Linda Bettica, Susan Adubato; St. Christopher's Hospital for Children: Janet Chen, Maria Garcia Bulkley, Latreaca Ivey, Mitzie Grant; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Katherine Knapp, Kim Allison, Megan Wilkins; San Juan Hospital/Department of Pediatrics: Midnela Acevedo-Flores, Heida Rios, Vivian Olivera; Tulane University Health Sciences Center: Margarita Silio, Medea Jones, Patricia Sirois; University of California, San Diego: Stephen Spector, Kim Norris, Sharon Nichols; University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center: Elizabeth McFarland, Alisa Katai, Jennifer Dunn, Suzanne Paul; University of Miami: Gwendolyn Scott, Patricia Bryan, Elizabeth Willen.

Footnotes

Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10461-016-1508-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Compliance with Ethical Standards: Conflict of Interest Katrina Hermetet-Lindsay, Katharine Correia, Paige Williams, Renee Smith, Kathleen Malee, Claude Mellins, and Richard Rutstein declare that they have no conflict of interest to report.

Ethical Approval All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Supplementary Materials

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