Psychological Violence and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Predominantly African American Women

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (23-24) ◽  
pp. 5574-5588
Author(s):  
Bina Ali ◽  
Mona Mittal ◽  
Allison Schroder ◽  
Najah Ishman ◽  
Sylvia Quinton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Psychological Violence

Physical and sexual violence are commonly researched as risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, psychological violence and its relationship with HIV risk behaviors have received limited attention among African American/Black (Black) women. This study examined (a) the frequency of recent (past 3 months) psychological violence, physical violence, and sexual violence and (b) the association of HIV risk behaviors, including unprotected sex, sex under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and sex exchange for money/drugs/shelter, with psychological violence. Participants included 191 women (89.2% Black), who were recruited through information sessions held at community centers, Parent Teacher Association meetings, substance use and HIV counseling centers, radio public service announcements, and word of mouth. Interested women participated in a multisession HIV and substance use prevention program and completed a self-reported assessment at program baseline. The current study utilized baseline data collected for a longitudinal study. Results from descriptive analysis indicated that the rate of psychological violence was higher than physical violence or sexual violence, and it was strongly associated with physical and sexual violence. Furthermore, hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that unprotected sex was significantly associated with recent psychological violence after controlling for covariates. Findings suggest that recent psychological violence is more common than physical or sexual violence and it relates to sexual risk behaviors among Black women. Recent psychological violence may indicate psychosocial and sexual vulnerability for HIV and warrants particular attention among Black women.

scholarly journals Substance Use Disorder, Intravenous Injection, and HIV Infection: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1465-1471
Author(s):  
Shao-Cheng Wang ◽  
Brion Maher
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Intravenous Injection ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Hiv Risk Behaviors ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Impaired Control

DSM-V-defined substance use disorder comprises four groups of symptoms: impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological reactions. Behavioral patterns of impaired control, including impulsivity and risk taking, are associated with HIV risk behaviors. Substance users with stronger craving symptoms are more likely to use drugs via intravenous injection than other routes because of the faster drug effect and the higher bioavailability; thus, they are at high risk of HIV infection. HIV risk behaviors such as unprotected sex and intravenous injection facilitate HIV disease spread. Public health policies such as Needle and Syringe Exchange Programs and medication-assisted treatment are proven to reduce HIV risk behaviors such as the frequency of intravenous injection and even the incidence of HIV infection, but both of them have limitations. While intravenous injection is a frequently discussed issue in public policies and the HIV-related literature, it is a much less frequent topic in the addiction literature. We believed that understanding the mental substrate behind impulsivity/risk taking and the possible biological mechanism of intravenous injection may help in creating more effective strategies to slow down HIV infection.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of African American/Black MSM’s Experiences of Participating in a Substance Use and Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1155-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mance E. Buttram ◽  
Steven P. Kurtz
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
African American ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Black Msm ◽  
Sexual Risk Reduction ◽  
American Black ◽  
Risk Reduction Intervention ◽  
Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention

The majority of new HIV infections in the United States are among men who have sex with men (MSM), and African American/Black MSM are especially affected. Employing a grounded theory approach, this study presents qualitative data from 21 African American/Black MSM who participated in a substance use and sexual risk reduction intervention trial (Project ROOM [men Reaching Out to Other Men]) in South Florida. African American/Black MSM from Project ROOM reduced their substance use and sexual risk behaviors at a faster rate than other men in the study. The present study examines how the experiences of participation in Project ROOM influenced the behavior change among African American/Black MSM. In-depth interviews indicate that study assessments enhanced African American/Black men’s mindfulness and self-realization of behaviors leading to behavior modification and changes in social relationships. Furthermore, these findings suggest that interventions tailored to the social environment of HIV transmission and substance use behaviors are key to reducing risk behaviors among this population.

scholarly journals Meeting Kids Where They Are At–A Substance Use and Sexual Risk Prevention Program via Telemedicine for African American Girls: Usability and Acceptability Study

10.2196/16725 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. e16725
Author(s):  
Cristina Lopez ◽  
Amanda K Gilmore ◽  
Angela Moreland ◽  
Carla Kmett Danielson ◽  
Ron Acierno
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
African American ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Rural Youth ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
African American Female ◽  
Female Youth ◽  
Culturally Tailored

Background Rural African American youth lack access to drug and sexual risk–taking prevention programs available in more urban areas. Recent data indicate that rural youth now use substances at higher rates and at younger ages than their urban peers. Objective This study aims to evaluate the initial usability and acceptability of a low-cost, technology-based approach to delivering effective, culturally tailored, integrated substance use disorder (SUD) and HIV risk behavior prevention programs to African American female youth to inform the use of this intervention via telemedicine for rural youth. Methods Effective SUD prevention strategies and emotion regulation skills were integrated into an existing evidence-based HIV risk reduction program culturally tailored for African American female adolescents—Sisters Informing, Healing, Living, and Empowering (SIHLE)—and delivered to 39 African American female youth via group telehealth. The evaluation of the resulting program, 12-session SIHLEplus, was completed by 27 girls who also completed self-report measures that assessed sexual risk behaviors (eg, number of partners and age of sex initiation), substance use, exposure to traumatic events, and emotion regulation. Results The descriptive and qualitative results of the pilot study demonstrate the initial usability and acceptability of delivering evidence-based prevention successfully via telehealth to help address health disparities in this vulnerable population. Conclusions Although more research is needed, the findings from this study suggest that SIHLEplus has demonstrated initial usability and acceptability.

scholarly journals HIV Information and Behavioral Skills Moderate the Effects of Relationship Type and Substance Use on HIV Risk Behaviors Among African American Youth

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 342-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Mustanski ◽  
Gayle R. Byck ◽  
Michael E. Newcomb ◽  
David Henry ◽  
John Bolland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
African American ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Hiv Risk Behaviors ◽  
Behavioral Skills ◽  
Relationship Type

scholarly journals Meeting Kids Where They Are At–A Substance Use and Sexual Risk Prevention Program via Telemedicine for African American Girls: Usability and Acceptability Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Lopez ◽  
Amanda K Gilmore ◽  
Angela Moreland ◽  
Carla Kmett Danielson ◽  
Ron Acierno
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
African American ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Rural Youth ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
African American Female ◽  
Female Youth ◽  
Culturally Tailored

BACKGROUND Rural African American youth lack access to drug and sexual risk–taking <i>prevention</i> programs available in more urban areas. Recent data indicate that rural youth now use substances at higher rates and at younger ages than their urban peers. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the initial usability and acceptability of a low-cost, technology-based approach to delivering effective, culturally tailored, integrated substance use disorder (SUD) and HIV risk behavior prevention programs to African American female youth to inform the use of this intervention via telemedicine for rural youth. METHODS Effective SUD prevention strategies and emotion regulation skills were integrated into an existing evidence-based HIV risk reduction program culturally tailored for African American female adolescents—Sisters Informing, Healing, Living, and Empowering (SIHLE)—and delivered to 39 African American female youth via group telehealth. The evaluation of the resulting program, 12-session SIHLEplus, was completed by 27 girls who also completed self-report measures that assessed sexual risk behaviors (eg, number of partners and age of sex initiation), substance use, exposure to traumatic events, and emotion regulation. RESULTS The descriptive and qualitative results of the pilot study demonstrate the initial usability and acceptability of delivering evidence-based prevention successfully via telehealth to help address health disparities in this vulnerable population. CONCLUSIONS Although more research is needed, the findings from this study suggest that SIHLEplus has demonstrated initial usability and acceptability.

A Family-Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention: Crossover Effects on Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Fernandez ◽  
Alyssa Lozano ◽  
Tae Kyoung Lee ◽  
Yannine Estrada ◽  
Sarah E Messiah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviors ◽  
Crossover Effects ◽  
Family Based

scholarly journals Exploring the experience of intimate partner violence in the LGBT community

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Papadakaki ◽  
F Zioti ◽  
Z N Karadimitriou ◽  
M Papadopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Childhood Victimization ◽  
Psychological Violence ◽  
Violence Victimization ◽  
Lgbt Community ◽  
Forms Of Violence

Abstract Background The study aimed at measuring the prevalence and identifying the risk factors of intimate partner violence in individuals from the LGBT community. Methods A total of 180 individuals participated in the study, both male and female, aged 18-60 years, living in the broader area of Athens, Greece. Snowball sampling was applied to identify eligible individuals and social media were employed to recruit them. The questionnaire explored the violence victimization and perpetration in their relationships, the preferred reaction to various forms of violence and the role of childhood victimization in adulthood experiences of violence. Results 72.8% were homosexual, 26.7% bisexual, 81.7 % were women with a mean age of 25.2 years (6.0 standard deviation). A total of 67.2% were subjected to verbal abuse before the age of 16, 49.4% to physical violence, 6.7% to sexual violence and 46.7% were neglected. The prevalence of violence victimization was higher than the prevalence of violence perpetration (mean 9.81 and 5.92 respectively). Psychological violence was the most common among other forms of violence, both in victimization (psychological 7.34, physical 1.66, sexual 0.81) and perpetration (psychological 4.48, physical 1.26, sexual 0.18). In hypothetical scenarios of psychological violence, the majority of participants preferred separation and discussion about boundaries as strategies to deal with the situation (56.1 and 45.0 respectively), in scenarios of physical violence they primarily preferred separation and secondarily asking a professional advice (73.3 and 20.6, respectively) and in sexual violence they primarily preferred a discussion about boundaries and secondarily separation (69.4% and 31.7% respectively). Experiences of childhood victimization (p=.006), and female gender (p=.002), were found to be associated at a statistically significant level with violent victimization in adulthood. Conclusions Further research is necessary to identify groups at risk of victimization. Key messages Preventive efforts need to take into account individual sociodemographic and attitudinal characteristics that increase the risk of victimization. Experiences of victimization during childhood are highly associated with victimization in adulthood.

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