Intersectionality: A Systematic Review and Application to Explore the Complexity of Teen Pregnancy Involvement

This three-paper dissertation investigates current applications of intersectionality in social work research and explores the utility of intersectionality in uncovering the complexity of teen pregnancy involvement. To illustrate the current methodological and theoretical applications of intersectionality in social work research, the first paper presents a systematic review of the literature. As shown in this paper, while intersectionality is underutilized as a theoretical concept in social work research, the potentialities of intersectionality to examine the complexity of social locations and identities is manifest. The second and third papers employ intersectional approaches to uncover the complexity of teen pregnancy involvement in New York City. The second paper examines quantitatively the interaction of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation on teen pregnancy involvement among a representative sample (N=176,289) of New York City public high school students. Findings from this paper reveal new patterns of disparities in teen pregnancy involvement based on the interactive effects of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. The third paper captures qualitatively the interactions of social locations that contribute to perceptions about teen pregnancy among 24 sexual-minority female youth of color who participated in focus groups at a community-based organization in New York City. This paper examines the heteronormative assumptions underpinning teen pregnancy involvement and provides a different story about teen pregnancy "risk.

New Mexico - Sexual Violence Free

New Mexico – Sexual Violence Free: A Statewide Strategic Plan for the Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence, 2015-2020, serves as a path toward ending sexual violence in our state. It provides a framework and establishes a vision, mission, goals, and objectives for moving primary prevention forward. The plan is meant to be used by agencies, organizations, universities, community coalitions, policy-makers, prevention professionals, and other individuals interested in reducing the burden of sexual violence (SV) in New Mexico

Adaptation of a Couple-Based HIV Intervention for Methamphetamine-Involved African American Men who have Sex with Men

In the U.S., incidence of HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) has steadily increased since the 1990s. This points to a need for innovation to address both emerging trends as well as longer-standing disparities in HIV risk and transmission among MSM, such as the elevated rates of HIV/STIs among African American MSM and methamphetamine users. While couple-based sexual risk reduction interventions are a promising avenue to reduce HIV/STI transmission, prior research has been almost exclusively with heterosexual couples. We sought to adapt an existing, evidence-based intervention—originally developed and tested with heterosexual couples—for a new target population consisting of African American MSM in a longer-term same-sex relationship where at least one partner uses methamphetamine. The adaptation process primarily drew from data obtained from a series of focus groups with 8 couples from the target population. Attention is given to the methods used to overcome challenges faced in this adaptation process: limited time, a lead investigator who is phenotypically different from the target population, a dearth of descriptive information on the experiences and worldviews among the target population, and a concomitant lack of topical experts. We also describe a visualization tool used to ensure that the adaptation process promotes and maintains adherence to the theory that guides the intervention and behavior change. The process culminated with an intervention adapted for the new target population as well as preliminary indications that a couple-based sexual-risk reduction intervention for African American, methamphetamine-involved male couples is feasible and attractive

A 3-Component Approach Incorporating Focus Groups in Strategic Planning for Sexual Violence Prevention.

Sexual violence is of special concern in New Mexico because of the presence of large priority populations in which its prevalence is high. This article describes a 3-component approach to developing a strategic plan to prevent sexual violence in the state that consisted of an advisory group, subject matter experts, and focus groups from geographically and demographically diverse communities. Both common and community-specific themes emerged from the focus groups and were included in the strategic plan. By incorporating community needs and experiences, this approach fosters increased investment in plan implementation

Research on couple-based risk reduction interventions for men who have sex with men (MSM): Lessons learned about methodological and practical challenges

A growing body of science supports the efficacy of couple-based risk reduction interventions to prevent HIV transmission. Compared to the amount of research with heterosexual couples, couple-based research with men who have sex with men (MSM) is nascent, especially with racial/ethnic minority MSM. Thus, it is important to identify challenges in adapting existing couple-based interventions originally for heterosexual couples—or developing ones de novo—for MSM couples