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I describe 4 protective Strategies that African Americans employ that may challenge current HIV prevention efforts: (1) an adaptive duality that protects identity, (2) personal control influenced by external factors, (3) long-established indirect communication patterns, and (4) a mistrust of 'outsiders.' I propose the Sexual Health Model as a conceptual framework for HIV prevention interventions because it incorporates established adaptive coping strategies into new HIV-related protective skills. The Sexual Health Model promotes interconnectedness, sexual ownership, and body awareness, 3 concepts that represent the context of the African American historical and cultural experience and that enhance rather than contradict future prevention efforts. (Am J Public Health. 2009;99:1941-1945. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.152181)

People of color are disproportionately affected by HIV/ AIDS, yet African American HIV/AIDS researchers are in short supply. Complex historical, structural, sociocultural, and personal barriers can prevent African Americans from becoming well-trained biomedical, behavioral, and social HIV/AIDS researchers. Institutional factors that influence the numbers of African Americans conducting HIV/AIDS research include the limitation of early-career decisions and a lack of exposure to research, research socialization, and mentoring. Two individual-level factors that influence the submission of federally funded research proposals are the limited availability of support for culturally congruent HIV research and African Americans' negative perceptions of their own competence and ability to contribute to society. We discuss progress to ward eliminating disparities experienced by African American HIV/AIDS researchers at the individual, academic institution, and sociopolitical levels. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.131094)

Previous research highlights the need to better understand the complex relationships between factors marginalizing Black men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) living with HIV, including HIV stigma, trauma, and hegemonic masculinity. We examined associations between gender role conflict (GRC), trauma, and HIV stigma in Black MSMW living with HIV. 117 participants completed the UCLA Life Adversities Screener (LADS), measures of GRC, and HIV stigma. A multivariate model with age, gender role, and the LADS as predictors of stigma was statistically significant F (4, 110) = 12.81, p <.0001. The LADS was significantly associated with stigma (b = 11.06, t = 4.17, p <.0001) and moderated by GRC (b = 12.19, t = 2.25, p <.05); stigma increased significantly at high, but not low GRC. High GRC heightens the relationship between trauma and HIV stigma in Black MSMW. Future research must investigate associations among trauma burden, stigma, and GRC among vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risky and precautionary sexual behaviors were examined in a community sample of 260 single and married/cohabitating White women. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the ability of age, socioeconomic status (SES), marital status, religiosity, and 9 health belief constructs to predict risky sexual behavior with one's partner, using a barrier method of birth control, unintended pregnancies, and number of sexual partners in the past year. The pattern of results suggests that single White women appear to feel more vulnerable to HIV and STD infection and more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than do married White women. The discussion focuses on the importance of sociocultural factors in understanding risk behaviors within the social context of relationship status, the complexity of the concept of risk reduction, and the need for going beyond the health belief model in order to develop different HIV prevention strategies for single and married White women.

Objectives. We investigated history of abuse and other HIV-related risk factors in a community sample of 490 HIV-positive and HIV-negative African American, European American, and Latina women. Methods. Baseline interviews were analyzed, and logistic regressions were used to identify predictors of risk for positive HIV serostatus overall and by racial/ethnic group. Results. Race/ethnicity was not an independent predictor of HIV-related risk, and few racial/ethnic differences in risk factors for HIV were seen. Regardless of race/ethnicity, HIV-positive women had more sexual partners, more sexually transmitted diseases, and more severe histories of abuse than did HIV-negative women. Trauma history was a general risk factor for women, irrespective of race/ethnicity. Conclusions. Limited material resources, exposure to violence, and high-risk sexual behaviors were the best predictors of HIV risk.

Predictions generated by cognitive adaptation theory and conservation of resources theory were tested with regard to positive and negative changes associated with HIV infection in an ethnically diverse, low socioeconomic status sample of 189 HIV-positive women. Women reported a significantly greater number of benefits than losses' in their experiences with HIV infection. Changes in the domains of the self and life priorities were significantly positive, whereas changes in romantic/sexual relations and view of body were significantly negative. Women who reported more benefits were less likely to report depressive and anxious symptoms. Although health status and optimism significantly predicted depression, anxiety, and negative HIV-related changes, socioeconomic resources (education and income) were the most significant predictors of HIV-related benefit finding. Implications of these results are discussed.

Almost half the African American women in a research study reported verbal and physical conflict with intimate partners, and most of these had been abused as children. Other factors increasing risk for partner violence include income and HIV status.

Trauma-focused research highlights the reactions of seasoned professionals when engaging with vulnerable clients; however, less is known about the common reactions of novices engaged in trauma research, who may lack the skills to cope and interact with traumatized participants. The purpose of this study is to (a) describe common reactions experienced by novice trauma interviewers; (b) examine whether the issues they face are similar to those of seasoned helping professionals; and (c) discuss ways in which training and supervision can increase the well-being of interviewers in trauma research. A semi-structured assessment was administered to novice interviewers who had previously conducted psychosocial and trauma assessments with diverse community participants. Participation was voluntary. The assessment elicited responses concerning secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, posttraumatic growth, and self-help and resources. Audio files were transcribed; responses were compiled to explore themes and identify illustrative quotes. Eight interviewers (two males, six females) participated. Six reported no prior experience working with populations with histories of trauma. Novice interviewers described experiences of secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, posttraumatic growth, and resilience. Novice interviewers described symptoms consistent with those reported by seasoned helping professionals; positive and negative symptoms often coexisted. Interviewers who completed more assessments described reactions of sadness, anger, insomnia, and changes in worldview. Interviewers who shared similar traumatic histories or environments reported more examples of countertransference. All reported similar feelings of posttraumatic growth, such as hope and optimism, for their participants and an increased appreciation of their resilience. Implications for training and supervision are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sample of African-American, Latina and White women in LA were surveyed to analyse the links between economic, social and structural factors and HIV-related risk taking. The findings show distinct differences in the ethnic communities influenced by the nature of the family and the economic position of the women. African-American women faced increased risk because of economic instability which led them to sex outside their primary relationships. Latina women in committed relationships faced risk influenced by the sexual history of their partners. The sexual practices of White women increased their risk.

A survey of 248 white and African American women found that white women were more likely to have experienced sexual harassment in the work place. Overall, about half of those surveyed reported some incidence of sexual harassment. African American women reporting harassment tended to be of lower incomes compared to white peers.

This paper addresses five existing societal myths and their underlying faulty assumptions about women's sexuality. The following myths are examined: (a) women possess adequate sexual knowledge to understand their sexual needs, (b) they know how to communicate about sex, (c) they engage in sex because they want to do so, (d) if they are sexually active, they enjoy sex, and (e) they use their knowledge of sex to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. These myths need to be considered when conducting research and developing interventions designed to decrease women's sexual risk-taking. Research that assesses women's levels of factual sexual knowledge, comfort and skills discussing sexual information, and literacy is needed. The importance of examining ethnic, cultural, economic, religious, relationship factors, and psychological issues is discussed in order to encourage research relevant to women's sexual decision-making.

The biological concept of race has long been controversial in psychology. Although many psychologists have challenged the concept of race, others have espoused it as a deductive premise and applied it as an inferential and research factor and variable, especially regarding Black-White IQ differences. Although race and its use have been polemically disputed for decades, no disciplinewide, concerted action within psychology has been taken to ascertain the scientific meaning of race and to determine its proper application. Psychology's inaction contrasts with deliberate steps taken by other national and international scientific groups. This article examines a variety of problems concerning race in psychology: (a) definition, (b) application, (c) invoking authority and references for genetic knowledge, and (d) passive inaction by psychologists and professional associations.

Psychological research is increasingly involved in debates regarding abortion. While recognizing the diversity of ethical and moral issues intertwined with abortion, the American Psychological Association (APA) has focused its involvement on psychological factors, most recently by appointing an expert panel to review the literature on psychological effects. This article notes the history of APA involvement and reports on the panel's conclusions. It presents evidence that abortion is not likely to be followed by severe psychological responses and that psychological aspects can best be understood within a framework of normal stress and coping rather than a model of psychopathology. Correlates of more negative responses following abortion are also discussed.

Lack of condom use by married or cohabiting couples in populations with high rates of HIV infection has become a significant public health issue. This study investigated whether an HIV risk-reduction intervention (RRI) would increase condom use when delivered to serodiscordant couples as a unit. Of the 62 couples that were screened, 30 serodiscordant couples were enrolled in the study, and randomized 2:1 to an immediate intervention-waitlist control study. The 12-week intervention focused on communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. Participants were assessed at baseline, three and six months after the intervention. The main outcome measures were consistent condom use, HIV seroconversion and fidelity to the programme. The use of condoms increased for both the intervention and control groups after receiving a 12-week RRI. Group comparisons showed a significant difference at three months, with a significantly higher mean proportion of condom-protected sex acts (p = 0.0119) between the control and intervention groups, the later showing an increase in condom use. No seroconversion was detected, and the overall retention rate of participants was 83.33%. Counselling heterosexual couples as a unit prompted an increase in condom use, but sustained condom use remains a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the impact of HIV/AIDS on black women and families. Topics include the status of health care in American health care systems for African American, the U.S. as the greatest public health catastrophe of the twentieth century, and the HIV prevention advocates for women and girls that they need to increase their knowledge of high-risk transmission routes.