Substance Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence and Risk for HIV among a Community Sample of Hispanic Women

Among the health disparities affecting the U.S. Hispanic population today are those relating to risky behaviors such as substance abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV/AIDS. However, few studies have examined how these conditions may impact this population. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the experiences that Hispanic women in South Florida have with regard to substance abuse, IPV and risks for HIV/AIDS, to describe how these conditions may be related, and to develop a model that can be used to guide research and interventions targeting this population. This dissertation uses data collected in Project DYVA (Drogas y Violencia en las Americas- Drugs and Violence in the Americas), a pilot research study that utilized both qualitative (Phase I) and quantitative (Phase II) research methods to describe the experiences of Hispanic women in South Florida between the ages of 18 and 60 with regard to substance abuse, violence and risky sexual behaviors. Three studies were conducted as part of this dissertation. The first study utilizes data collected during the qualitative phase of Project DYVA. During this phase eight focus groups were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis (N = 81). The second and third studies utilize data collected during the second phase of Project DYVA. In this phase cross-sectional questionnaires collecting information regarding demographics, acculturation, self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, IPV and risks for HIV, were administered to 82 Hispanic women. Univariate and multivariate statistics were used to explore the relationships between substance abuse, IPV and risk for HIV (study 2) and between resource availability, IPV and depression (study 3). The findings from this dissertation suggest that substance abuse, IPV and risk for HIV are closely related intersecting health issues. IPV, the condition that emerged as the most salient of the three, also appears to be closely associated with resource availability (i.e., self-esteem and income) and depression. Additional individual, cultural, relationship and socio-environmental factors that may play a significant role in shaping the experiences that Hispanic women have with regards to these intersecting conditions were also identified and organized into a model

Factors Associated With HIV Testing in Youth in the United States: An Integrative Review

We used an integrative review to synthesize existing literature on the factors associated with HIV testing by youth ages 13 to 24 years in the United States. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were systematically searched and 44 original research studies met our criteria. A directed qualitative content analysis was conducted to integrate findings according to the personal, relationship, community, and society levels of the social-ecological model. Female gender, African American race, age, and physical illness were some of the factors more consistently associated with HIV testing. Modifiable factors such as fear, drug use, poor condom use, partner communication, and multiple sexual partners were also noted as influencing HIV testing in youth. Our integrative review revealed gaps in the literature that need further exploration, particularly in the area of community and society influences on HIV testing for youth. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed

A Community Forum to Assess the Needs and Preferences for Domestic Violence Prevention Targeting Hispanics

Hispanics are disproportionately affected by the occurrence and consequences of domestic violence when compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts. The Partnership for Domestic Violence used a community-based participatory research approach to assess the needs and preferences for preventing domestic violence (DV) among Hispanics in Miami-Dade County. Researchers conducted a community forum in which data collected from focus groups were presented to approximately 100 community members to gather their feedback regarding the development of DV prevention programs tailored for Hispanics. Participants were in high agreement that a program targeting youth is the highest priority and that specific cultural variables should be incorporated to make the program most effective. Recommendations for DV prevention targeting Hispanics and the use of community forums as a method of research are provided

La mancha negra: substance abuse, violence, and sexual risks among Hispanic males

Hispanics are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV. Although the relationship between these conditions has been documented in the literature, few studies have explored the intersection of these health problems and their culture-related risk factors in an integrative manner. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences that Hispanic heterosexual males in South Florida have with substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Three focus groups with a total of 25 Hispanic adult men are completed and analyzed using grounded theory. Three core categories emerge from the data. These include la cuna de problemas sociales (the cradle of social problems), ramas de una sola mata (branches from one same tree), and la mancha negra (the black stain). This study suggests that substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors are linked conditions with common cultural and socioenvironmental risk factors and consequences

Hispanic women's experiences with substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and risk for HIV

Hispanic females are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV. Despite these disparities, research describing the cultural and gender-specific experiences of Hispanic women with regard to these conditions is lacking. Transplantadas en otro mundo (Uprooted in another world), El criador de abuso (The breeding ground of abuse), and Rompiendo el silencio (Breaking the silence). This study supports the importance of addressing substance abuse, violence, and risk for HIV in an integrated manner and stresses the importance of addressing associated cultural factors (e.g., acculturation, machismo ) in interventions targeting Hispanics

Perceptions of Adolescents, Parents, and School Personnel From a Predominantly Cuban American Community Regarding Dating and Teen Dating Violence Prevention

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of dating relationships and teen dating violence prevention within a predominantly Cuban American community in Miami‐Dade County. Eight focus groups (n = 74 participants) with adolescents of Hispanic origin (n = 29), their parents (n = 29), and school personnel (n = 16) were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. Four themes characterized the nature and context of dating relationships among adolescents of Hispanic origin: YOLO—You Only Live Once, cultural unity but social division, dating is not going out, and the social environment challenges healthy relationships. The information generated from this study can be used to develop culturally tailored teen dating violence prevention programs targeting youth of Hispanic origin. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Examining the Preliminary Efficacy of a Dating Violence Prevention Program for Hispanic Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a dating violence (DV) prevention program for Cuban American adolescents (JOVEN/YOUTH: Juntos Opuestos a la Violence Entre Novios/Together Against Dating Violence). A randomized-controlled experimental design with a delayed condition was used to evaluate the effects on DV victimization and perpetration (N = 82). Self-administrated assessments were completed at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after the intervention to assess for psychological victimization and perpetration and physical and sexual victimization and perpetration. Effect sizes were estimated, and generalized estimating equations were generated to test intervention effects over time and potential gender interactions. The intervention had medium to strong effects on DV victimization and perpetration for male participants but not for females. However, intervention effects were not statistically significant over time. More research is needed to enhance intervention effects of JOVEN on DV outcomes and to evaluate these effects among a larger and more diverse sample