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This study examined the association between violence exposures and HIV risk behaviors among 409 adolescents and whether such associations are gendered. Results indicated that adolescents exposed to either childhood sexual abuse or family or community violence were almost 3 and 4 times more likely, respectively, than peers not exposed to such violence to report a higher number of HIV-related risk behaviors. In addition, boys exposed to family violence were almost 3 times more likely than girls to report multiple partners and use of drugs during sex. Findings suggest a complex relationship among violence, gender, and HIV risks among adolescents.

This study examines whether the relationship between violence exposure and school engagement is mediated by psychological problem behaviors and whether such relationships are gendered. Five hundred and sixty-three high school African American adolescents (ages 13 to 19 years) completed questionnaires which assessed two types of violence exposure (community violence and marital conflict), psychological problem behaviors (e.g., PTSD symptoms, anxiety, withdrawal, and aggressive behaviors), and school engagement (i.e., student-teacher connectedness and grade point average [GPA] obtained from school records). For male adolescents, psychological problem behaviors collectively mediated the relationship between community violence exposure and student-teacher connectedness. For female adolescents, both community violence and marital conflict exposure were negatively related to both GPA and student-teacher connectedness via aggressive behavior. Findings suggest that the differential impact of type of violence exposure and its sequela based on gender should be considered when addressing low school engagement among African American youth. KeywordsAfrican American adolescents; structural equation modeling; ecological perspective; PTSD; anxiety; withdrawal; aggressive behavior; gender; violence exposure; school engagement; psychological problem behavior; marital conflict; community violence This article is concerned with whether the relationship between type of violence exposure (i.e., community and marital conflict) and school engagement (i.e., GPA and student-teacher connection) is mediated by psychological problem behaviors (i.e., depression, anxiety, aggression, and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms) and whether such relationships are gendered among African American adolescents.Community violence exposure often tends to be higher among the poor, racial minorities and those who live in densely populated urban areas (Garbarino, Hammond, Mercy, & Young, 2004). Surveillance data indicate that, compared to their Latino and Caucasian peers, African American adolescents are exposed to higher rates of community violence Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Dexter R. Voisin, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, 969 East 60 th St., Chicago, IL 60637. d-voisin@uchicago.edu. . NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptAm J Orthopsychiatry. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2012 January 1.Published in final edited form as: Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2011 January ; 81(1): 61-71. doi:10.1111/j.1939-0025.2010.01072.x. NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript (World Health Organization [WHO], 2002) and that rates of exposure are twice as high for African American males compared to their female counterparts (Aisenberg, Garcia, Ayon, Trickett, & Mennen, 2008).Community violence refers to being a victim of, witness to, or hearing about shootings, stabbings, muggings, physical threats, and murders taking place outside the home between indivi...

This study examined whether promotive factors (future expectations, family warmth, school attachment, and neighborhood cohesion) moderated relationships between community violence exposure and youth delinquency. Analyses were conducted using N = 2,980 sixth to eighth graders (Mage = 12.48; 41.1% males) from a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse sample. After controlling for demographic factors, delinquency was positively associated with community violence exposure and inversely associated with each of the promotive factors. When interaction effects between all promotive factors and community violence exposure were examined simultaneously, only future expectations moderated the relationship between community violence exposure and delinquency. Specifically, community violence exposure had a weaker association with delinquency for youth reporting high versus low levels of future expectations. Results indicate that while promotive factors from family, school, and neighborhood domains are related to lower rates of delinquency, only future expectations served as a protective factor that specifically buffered youth from the risk effects of community violence exposure.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-related stigma presents a primary barrier to sexual communication and effective HIV prevention. Using in-depth, qualitative interviews conducted with 20 HIV-positive Black MSM between 2007 and 2008 in Chicago, Illinois, we explored the themes related to HIV-related stigma and the underlying messages HIV-positive Black MSM receive regarding their status. Stigmatizing messages stem from family, churches, and the gay community and from negative, internalized, beliefs HIV-positive Black MSM held about infected individuals before their own infection. HIV stigma influences sexual silence around HIV disclosure, especially to sexual partners.

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BackgroundAccess and adoption of HIV prevention information are important criteria for reducing HIV infection rates among men who have sex with men.MethodsUsing focus group data, researchers sought to identify sources of HIV prevention information and barriers to adopting protective behaviors among young African American men who have sex with men. Adolescents ages 18–24 were recruited for this study. Focus group data were analyzed to identify themes related to sources of HIV prevention information and barriers to adopting protective behaviors.ResultsResearchers documented that family and friends, formal education, television, and the LGBT community were major sources for HIV prevention information. However, motivation for adopting such information was hampered by apathy, homophobia, and racism.ConclusionFeelings of powerlessness need to be addressed when targeting Black MSM with HIV prevention information.

The authors used Bronfenbrenner's conceptual framework of an ecological systems model to examine factors that are independently associated with sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk behaviors among 280 sexually active detained female adolescents. Using computer-assisted self-interviewing procedures, the authors assessed individual characteristics, peer relations, community factors, and media influences and their association to STD risk behaviors. Findings indicated that factors such as greater substance use, stronger risk-taking attitudes, lower perceived parental monitoring and familial support, gender roles supporting male dominance, risky peer norms, and lower student-teacher connectedness, were independently associated with increased STD risk behaviors. Findings suggest a multisystemic approach to STD prevention among this population.