A Longitudinal Study on the Influence of Sibling Support and HIV Testing Among Black Youth

The importance of developmental assets in HIV prevention behaviors among young black men who have sex with men (MSM)

Developmental assets are critical to the health and wellbeing of youth. The current study examines the influence of developmental assets on PrEP use and HIV testing among YBMSM ages 18-24. Using a cross-sectional survey of YBMSM (N = 225), this study explored the role of external (e.g., family support, other adult support) and internal (e.g., personal responsibility) assets in explaining HIV prevention behaviors. Participants were recruited from Mechanical Turk (M-Turk) internet-based platform, social media sites, and community-based organizations. A path analysis was conducted to investigate the direct/indirect effects of internal and external assets on PrEP use and HIV testing. Family support (β = 0.40, p < 0.001) and other adult support (β = 0.22, p = 0.004) were both associated with personal responsibility. Personal Responsibility (β = 0.15, p = 0.03) and positive identity (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) were both associated with an increase HIV testing. Personal responsibility was positively associated with increased PrEP use (β = 0.30, p < 0.001). Our study results indicated that external assets play a role in helping to build internal assets that support increased HIV testing and PrEP use among YBMSM. Our findings suggest the need for strength-based interventions that help YBMSM build assets and increase HIV prevention behaviors.

The Mental Health of Black Youth Affected by Community Violence: Family and School Context as Pathways to Resilience

Black youth who experience community violence occupy multiple environments with varying levels of influence on how they display resiliency to prevent adverse mental health outcomes. Considering the recent rise of mental health concerns (i.e., increase in suicidal outcomes) among Black youth, along with the abundance of research illustrating the detrimental impact of community violence, more research is needed to examine how different environmental factors (e.g., family and school) shape how youth protect their mental health while displaying resiliency navigating community violence. The purpose of this study was to examine how family and school contexts predict Black youths' ability to display resiliency to navigate community violence and prevent adverse mental health outcomes. This study utilized a path analysis to examine the associations between parent relationships, parent bonding, school climate, resilience to adverse community experiences, community violence, and mental health among 548 Black adolescents in Chicago. Findings highlight that parent relationships, parent bonding, and school climate influence the association between resilience to community violence and mental health outcomes among Black youth. Implications for mental health practice and policy among Black youth are discussed.