title: History of Violence as a Predictor of HIV Risk among Multi-Ethnic, Urban Youth in the Southwest.
abstract: This community-based exploratory study examined the effects of a history of violence, ethnic identification, and acculturation status on HIV risk among a majority Latino sample of youth living in a large metropolitan area of the Southwest in the United States. The participants reported high rates of violence and attitudes that put them at risk for HIV/AIDS infection. They participated in 1 of 2 prevention interventions offered by a local non-governmental organization. The first intervention was tailored for adjudicated youth (N=49) who were either institutionalized or were returning to the community after involvement with the criminal justice system. The second intervention targeted youth (N=32) who were homeless/runaway and/or self-identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT). T-tests and linear regression were used to determine the differences between youth reporting a history of violence by type of perpetrator, its relationship with HIV risk, and the role of ethnic identification and acculturation status as potential protective factors. Violence by a family member was the most common type of violence reported, with a history of violence positively related to HIV risk. Ethnic identification and linguistic acculturation had a protective effect against HIV risk among the homeless and GLBT youth but not among the adjudicated youth.
authors.affiliation: Distinguished Foundation Professor of Cultural Diversity & Health, School of Social Work and Director of the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, Arizona State University.
authors.forename: Flavio Francisco
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Marsiglia
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nieri
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valdez
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gurrola
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marrs