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We discuss the use of mixed methods research to further understanding of displaced Colombian gay and bisexual men and transwomen, a marginalized population at risk. Within the framework of communicative action, which calls for social change through egalitarian dialog, we describe how our multinational, interdisciplinary research team explored the subjective, objective, and social worlds of participants through life history interviews and surveys. We also describe the unique Colombian context, conscious efforts to establish egalitarian relationships among research team members, and efforts to disseminate and reflect on findings. Through discussion of our research process and results, we aim to demonstrate how mixed methods research can be utilized to facilitate noncoercive discourse and contribute to social change.

Latino men who have sex with men are a group at high risk for HIV infection. Much of the research addressing attitudes and behaviors related to HIV among Latinos in the United States has overlooked differences based on nationality. Brazilian immigrants, in particular, are an understudied subgroup of Latinos. This study compared HIV-positive Brazilian gay men (n = 75) with their Spanish-speaking counterparts from South America (n = 103) and Puerto Rico (n = 61) on a variety of HIV-related factors. Results failed to reveal any significant group differences in disclosure of serostatus or in behaviors relevant to sexual risk. Some differences in demographic characteristics, reasons for immigration, and acculturation, however, did emerge among the three groups. Implications for aggregation of Latino subgroups in HIV-related programs are discussed.

Theories of social integration and stress process posit that community involvement may buffer or may compensate the adverse effects of stigma on psychological well-being. In this article, the authors explore this thesis in a stigmatized and seldom studied group of HIV-positive Latino gay men. Specifically, they examine the effects of community involvement in AIDS and gay-related organizations (e.g., volunteerism and activism) and experienced homosexual stigma on three psychological well-being indicators (i.e., self-esteem, depression, and loneliness). The cross-sectional sample includes 155 HIV-positive men living in New York City and Washington, DC. Results suggest that experienced stigma attributed to homosexuality is associated with psychological well-being. Community involvement, however, seems to compensate the association between stigma and depression and loneliness, while buffering the association with self-esteem. Furthermore, community involvement appears to also heighten the perception of stigma.

Tests for equivalence models predicting ethnic minority and nonminority students' intentions to remain enrolled in college. Reports similarities and differences in the models for predicting commitment for ethnic minority and nonminority students. Notes limitations to the inferences that can be drawn from the study due to its methodology. (DSK)

This study investigated relationships between Latino gay-identified men in metropolitan New York City and their non-gay-identified male partners. Phase 1 consisted of in-depth interviews (N = 33), and Phase 2 consisted of quantitative surveys (N = 120) with Brazilian, Colombian, and Dominican men who have sex with men (MSM). A majority of participants reported having had sex with heterosexually identified men, and in many cases, the relationship was sustained over time. We found mixed results concerning an attitude sometimes attributed to Latinos that sexual orientation is defined by sexual role, with receptive MSM seen as gay and insertive MSM seen as straight. Although there were no significant associations between partner sexual orientation and unprotected anal intercourse, gay men were less likely to take the insertive role in oral or anal sex with straight-identified male partners than with gay partners. KEYWORDS Latino, MSM, gay identity, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, sexual role DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2010.503510

Latino men who have sex with men are a group at high risk for HIV infection. Much of the research addressing attitudes and behaviors related to HIV among Latinos in the United States has overlooked differences based on nationality. Brazilian immigrants, in particular, are an understudied subgroup of Latinos. This study compared HIV-positive Brazilian gay men (n = 75) with their Spanish-speaking counterparts from South America (n = 103) and Puerto Rico (n = 61) on a variety of HIV-related factors. Results failed to reveal any significant group differences in disclosure of serostatus or in behaviors relevant to sexual risk. Some differences in demographic characteristics, reasons for immigration, and acculturation, however, did emerge among the three groups. Implications for aggregation of Latino subgroups in HIV-related programs are discussed. Keywords: HIV; Hispanic; Brazilian; MSM; disclosure; sexual risk

Theories of social integration and stress process posit that community involvement may buffer or may compensate the adverse effects of stigma on psychological well-being. In this article, the authors explore this thesis in a stigmatized and seldom studied group of HIV-positive Latino gay men. Specifically, they examine the effects of community involvement in AIDS and gay-related organizations (e.g., volunteerism and activism) and experienced homosexual stigma on three psychological well-being indicators (i.e., self-esteem, depression, and loneliness). The cross-sectional sample includes 155 HIV-positive men living in New York City and Washington, DC. Results suggest that experienced stigma attributed to homosexuality is associated with psychological well-being. Community involvement, however, seems to compensate the association between stigma and depression and loneliness, while buffering the association with self-esteem. Furthermore, community involvement appears to also heighten the perception of stigma. Keywords: community involvement; volunteering; stigma; Latino; gay men

Models predicting ethnic minority and nonminority students' intentions to remain enrolled in college were tested for equivalence. On the basis of previous research, the predictors were coping with college, self-esteem, academic integration, identification with the university, and experience of disrespect because of race, ethnicity, or religion. Participants were 139 ethnic minority and 507 nonminority students at a U.S. university. Results indicate similarities and differences in the models for predicting commitment for ethnic minority and nonminority students. The relationship between academic achievement and commitment to remain in college was strong only for ethnic minority students. Identification with the university was positively related and experience of disrespect was negatively related to commitment for all students. When students perceived the environment as unwelcoming because of race, ethnicity, or religion, their desire to continue attending college diminished. Ethnic minority students were more likely than White students to report experiencing disrespect., The graduation rates for ethnic minority and White students in U.S. colleges differ dramatically. Although the percentage of African American, Latino, and American Indian students enrolled in 4-year colleges and [...]

Because women who want to use condoms as protection against STDs must gain compliance from their male partners, women's use of condoms was examined within the context of their relationships with their sexual partners. Sexual history, condom attitudes, and relationship information were gathered from a sample of 272 heterosexual college women. For the 121 women with a current sexual partner, logistic regression analyses revealed that both regular condom use and completely consistent condom use were more likely in shorter relationships and for women who perceived lower barriers to use. Regular condom use was also greater in relationships described as high in trust, whereas consistent condom use was greater for women in their first sexual relationships. In addition, many women reported using condoms early in their relationships, but changing to lower levels of use later. Implications of the current findings for safer-sex interventions are discussed.

In a sample of college women at two private universities, this study examined dual use of self-protective measures, i.e., simultaneous use of condoms for disease prevention and birth control pills for contraception. Those who were dual users of condoms and birth control pills were in newer relationships, were less committed to their current relationships, and perceived their partners as more likely to have HIV or other STDs, as compared to college women using condoms only, birth control pills only, or no method. Dual use was unrelated to personality or health and risk behavior. Rather, dual use reflected a pattern of sexual self-protection based on risk management associated with concerns about consequences of sexual activity, that is STDs and conception, and not with more distal factors. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworthpressinc.com< Website: http://www.haworthpressinc.com>] KEYWORDS. Dual protection, STDs/HIV, condoms, college women

The catalyzing forces behind risky sexual behavior are a rich area of interest for public health researchers concerned with reducing HIV risk. Social cognitive theory would suggest that sexual beliefs are a viable example of one such influential agent. Recognizing that culture plays an important role in forming such sexual beliefs, and seeking to understand the unique HIV risks present for Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), this article presents an exploratory factor analysis of the 13-item Latino Sexual Beliefs Scale (LSBS) created as part of a larger study to investigate predictors of condom use among a sample of 482 MSM born in Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic and living in the U.S. The current analysis identified two psychometric factors in the LSBS as Romantic Exigency (containing six items with a mean loading of .62) and Sexual Acquiescence (containing seven items with a mean loading of .57). This is the first factor analysis conducted on the 13-item LSBS and represents the first known quantitative measure of Latino cultural sexual beliefs related to condom use for Latino MSM. Implications for future research include further validation, use in studies exploring the role of sexual beliefs on condom use, and possible thematic targets in HIV risk reduction interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined recency of infection in serum samples obtained from 69 newly identified HIV-positive cases in a sample of 1000 men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bogotá. HIV antibody avidity assays were performed using the Architect HIV Ag/AB combo. Avidity indices ranged from 0.62 to 1.22, with a cut-off score below 0.80 indicative of recent infection. Two samples were classified as recent, six fell within the gray zone (0.75 to 0.85), and the remaining 61 were considered established infections. Results provided evidence of widespread, long-term, undiagnosed HIV infection, as well as an estimate of one-year incidence at .25 in the population of MSM in Bogotá. This incidence rate is approximately 8.5 times the rate estimated for the general adult population in Colombia. The large proportion of newly diagnosed cases found among individuals with established infections indicates that many MSM in Bogotá are living with HIV for extended periods without being diagnosed and treated. Greater efforts to detect and treat undiagnosed infections are crucial to decrease HIV incidence and increase maximum effectiveness of medical intervention. Given the over-representation of MSM and transgender women in the HIV epidemic in Colombia, such efforts should specifically target this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical function limitations have been associated with poor health outcomes, which have a negative impact on quality of life of older individuals. This study examined the association between depression, viral load, and acculturation with physical function among Latino men living with HIV. A secondary data analysis was performed using a cross-sectional data of 146 Latino immigrant men living with HIV in New York City and Washington, DC. Physical function was measured using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Uncontrolled HIV infection and depression were associated with worse physical function, thus implying the importance of adequate health care to address these conditions. Preserving physical function should start during middle adulthood, particularly among people living with HIV because of their greater risk of developing age-related challenges such as depression, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases among others. This study informs future interventions to preserve physical function and achieve the goal of successful aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]