Acculturation, Coping Styles, and Health Risk Behaviors Among HIV Positive Latinas

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among acculturation, coping styles, substance use, sexual risk behavior, and medication non-adherence among 219 Latinas living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, CA. Coping styles were hypothesized to mediate the link between acculturation and health risk behaviors for HIV positive Latinas. Structural equation modeling revealed that greater acculturation was related to less positive coping and more negative coping. In turn, negative coping was associated with more health risk behaviors and more non-adherence. Positive coping was associated with less substance use as reflected in use of cigarettes and alcohol and less non-adherence. Coping styles mediated the relationship between acculturation and health risk behaviors. Findings echo previous works examining the Hispanic Health Paradox wherein more acculturated Latinos exhibit increased risk behavior and maladaptive coping styles. HIV/AIDS interventions need to be mindful of cultural differences within Hispanic populations and be tailored to address these differences.

Race, Coping Strategies, and Substance Use Behaviors: A Preliminary Analysis Examining White and American Indian Adolescents

“…Prior research has explored the association between coping strategies and a variety of substance use behaviors (e.g., Baer et al, 1987; Simons and Robertson, 1989; Sanchez et al, 2010; Cooper et al 1988; Hasking and Oei 2004), with a number of studies finding that both emotion-focused and avoidant coping strategies are indeed predictive of alcohol and illicit drug behaviors (e.g., Cooper et al 1992; Cooper et al, 1997; Hasking and Oei 2004; Johnson and Pandina, 2000; Simons and Robertson, 1989). But as mentioned earlier, many of these studies utilized samples of white, non-Hispanics—the association between coping strategies and substance use behaviors among racial and ethnic minorities is relatively underexplored.…”

“…The likelihood of experiencing adverse health outcomes as a result of cumulative stress exposure, however, may be conditioned by the presence (or absence) of a number of personal and social resources that essentially determine the extent to which an individual can manage the stress so that it does not produce adverse consequences. Coping strategies—the array of cognitive and behavioral strategies that people use to manage stress—have been associated with various health behaviors, including substance use (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984; Baer et al, 1987; Simons and Robertson, 1989; Sanchez et al, 2010; Cooper et al 1988; Hasking and Oei 2004). …”

Rate of new HIV diagnoses among Latinos living in Florida: disparities by country/region of birth

“…Latinos who do not assimilate to the US culture report more HIV risk behaviors when compared to those who do assimilate (Farrelly, Cordova, Huang, Estrada, & Prado, 2013). Greater assimilation among HIV-positive Latinos has also been associated with treatment non-adherence (Sanchez, Rice, Stein, Milburn, & Rotheram-Borus, 2010). Moreover, the extent to which assimilation impacts risk behaviors differs for Latinos by birth country (Caetano, Ramisetty-Mikler, & Rodriguez, 2009).…”

What is the evidence for effectiveness of interventions to enhance coping among people living with HIV disease? A systematic review

“…Coping ''styles'' have been addressed in the HIV research literature (Anderson et al, 2009;Kelly, Bimbi, Izienicki, & Parsons, 2009;Sanchez, Rice, Stein, Milburn, & Rotheram-Borus, 2010). Although these empirical and theoretical studies are essential to understand coping styles and their correlates, it is necessary to utilise these studies to develop and evaluate interventions to improve coping outcomes.…”