A teacher rating scale of reactive aggression, proactive aggression, and covert antisocial behavior was evaluated in a normative sample of third- to fifth-grade predominantly white lower middle class boys (N = 186). Factor analysis revealed independent and internally consistent Reactive Aggression (six reactive items), and Proactive Aggression (five proactive items, five covert items) factors. Although the factors were intercorrelated (r = .67), and each factor was significantly correlated with negative peer social status (r = .26 for each, controlling for grade), the independence of the factors was supported by the unique relation of Reactive Aggression with in-school detentions (r = .31), controlling for Proactive Aggression and grade. These results supported the reliability and validity of Reactive and Proactive Aggression as rated by teachers, which should facilitate further research of these constructs.
Black men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) are among the populations at highest risk for HIV infection. We describe the evaluation of Project RISE, a six-session individual-level intervention developed for black MSMW using an ecosystems approach. A randomized controlled trial was used to test the effect of the intervention on sexual risk outcomes. Eligibility criteria included having both male and female sex partners in the past 12 months. Complete data at 5-month follow-up were collected from 86.7% of the 165 participants. In analyses controlling for HIV status, age, and baseline risk, intervention participants were found to have significantly greater reductions in number of female partners (p < 0.05) and total male and female partners (p < 0.05) at follow-up, compared to the control group. Intervention participants also were significantly more likely to report a reduction in number of sex episodes without a condom with female partners (p < 0.05) and with all partners (p < 0.02) at follow-up, compared to the control group.
Male adolescents who cycle through the juvenile justice system are at high risk for HIV infection, yet there are few HIV prevention interventions for this high-risk population. This study evaluates the efficacy of Preventing AIDS through Live Movement and Sound (PALMS), an innovative, theory-based HIV risk reduction intervention that uses theatrical performances and role-play. The study used a nonrandomized concurrent comparison group design. A total of 289 predominantly African American males aged 12-18 from two juvenile justice facilities in Philadelphia, PA were enrolled. At 6-month follow-up, PALMS participants demonstrated greater increases in HIV and condom use knowledge and improved attitudes toward HIV testing and toward persons living with HIV/AIDS than did those in the comparison condition. PALMS participants were also significantly more likely to use a condom during their last sexual contact with a non-main female partner than comparison participants. This theater-based HIV prevention intervention is a potential resource for changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adolescents in juvenile justice settings.
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) have high rates of recreational drug use and binge drinking that are related to increases in unprotected sex and HIV risk. We describe the development of a community-level intervention focused on MSM ages 15 to 29 who identify as Black or White and who reported episodic use of alcohol and/or drugs. Intervention content included culturally-relevant role model stories and peer outreach. Outcome measures, including number of partners and a risk score indicating risk for HIV from protected or unprotected insertive or receptive anal sex, were examined over 36 months in a sample of YMSM in Philadelphia, the intervention site, and Baltimore, the comparison site. Decreases in risk scores over time were significantly larger in the intervention sample than in the comparison sample. Effects were greater for YMSM who engaged in binge drinking and/or marijuana use, compared to those who used other drugs.
Black men who have sex with men and women (BMSMW) are at increased HIV risk, but few efficacious interventions meet their unique needs. Three HIV prevention interventions were evaluated with a common protocol. Baseline data were pooled to describe sexual behavior involving transmission risk with male, female, and male-to-female transgender partners and identify factors associated with transmission risk. BMSMW from Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago who reported sexual risk and bisexual behavior in the past year were recruited via modified chain referral sampling and community recruitment. Baseline assessments were conducted via audio computer-assisted interview and sexual behaviors assessed over the past 3 months. From
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