\u27Means of Survival\u27 as Moderator of the Relationship between Cumulative Torture Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Refugees

Refugee torture survivors often present with a myriad of psychological challenges, such as posttraumatic stress and depression, stemming from their exposure to torture and other pre- and post-settlement experiences (Gong-Guy and colleagues, 1991). The present study examined the moderating effect of four coping processes (i.e., family support, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and will to survive) on the relationship between cumulative torture and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a sample of 204 (N=204) adult refugee torture survivors. Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, the Torture Severity Scale (TSS; Kira, Lewandowski, Templin, Ramaswamy, Ozkan, Hammad, & Mohanesh, 2006), the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-2; Weathers, Keane, & Davidson, 2001), and the Means of Survival Scale (MOS; Kira, 2012). Twenty-three percent (N = 74) of the sample endorsed clinically significant levels of PTSD. Torture and PTSD were positively associated, indicating that greater exposure to cumulative torture is associated with greater trauma symptoms (r[2] = .18, pppppp2 = .039; F (2,323) = 7.55, p=.001. None of the interaction terms examined accounted for significant variation in PTSD symptoms. Study findings will help counseling psychologists devise the most appropriate treatment plans and strategies to treat posttraumatic stress reactions among refugee torture survivors, as well as inform future interventions developed for this vulnerable population

Correlates of Intent for Repeat HIV Testing Among Low-Income Women Attending an Urgent Care Clinic in the Urban South

A central challenge of the AIDS epidemic among African American women is promoting acceptance of repeat HIV testing among those at risk of infection. We conducted an exploratory study designed to identify behavioral and psychosocial correlates of intent for repeat HIV testing among women disenfranchised from traditional health care delivery systems. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 143women attending an urgent care center in the urban South. In multivariate analyses, three psychosocial correlates were significantly associated with women’s intent for repeat testing. Women who expressed less worry about HIV were substantially more likely, than those expressing greater worry, to report low intent for repeat testing [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=10.6, p=0.001]. Concern about having blood drawn was also robustly associated with intent (AOR=7.3, p=0.002). Finally, a one unit increase on the 5-point scale assessing less agreement that having HIV would make life complicated corresponded to 3.3 greater odds of indicating low intent (AOR=3.3, p=0.002). Study findings provide a potential focal point for efforts designed to promote repeat HIV testing among women from the study population