Abstract
Evidence suggests LGBTQ+ Latinx are disproportionately affected by new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and live with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at higher rates than non-Hispanic Whites. As a result of these striking and consistent findings, this chapter focuses on LGBTQ+ Latinx at risk of or living with HIV/AIDS. First, the chapter reviews the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in LGBTQ+ Latinx communities, with careful attention to disaggregating ethnicity and sexual orientation/gender identity from studies. Next, HIV risk is discussed in the context of stigma and traditional sociocultural values salient to LGBTQ+ Latinx, highlighting the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ Latinx living with HIV/AIDS. Moreover, the literature on psychological interventions for people at risk of or living with HIV/AIDS is broadly reviewed so readers understand how these interventions are missing an intersectional approach. To understand the importance of centering intersectionality in clinical care, the chapter proposes a movement toward intersectionally responsive interventions (i.e., those that clinically address intersectional minority stress) for LGBTQ+ Latinx at risk of or living with HIV and highlights relevant studies that attempt to move clinical interventions in this direction for LGBTQ+ Latinx. The chapter ends with several implications for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers who want to address LGBTQ+ Latinx at risk of or living with HIV/AIDS.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Akin, M., Fernández, M. I., Bowen, G. S., & Warren, J. C. (2008). HIV risk behaviors of Latin American and Caribbean men who have sex with men in Miami, Florida, USA. Revista Panamericana de Salud Publica, 23(5), 341–348. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1020-49892008000500006
APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice. (2006). Evidence-based psychology practice. American Psychologist, 61, 271–285. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.4.271
Arciniega, G. M., Anderson, T. C., Tovar-Blank, Z. G., & Tracey, T. J. (2008). Toward a fuller conceptualization of machismo: Development of a traditional machismo and caballerismo scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(1), 19–33. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.55.1.19
Bennett, C. L., Marks, S. J., Rosenberger, J. G., Bauermeister, J. A., Clark, M. A., Liu, T., Mayer, K. H., & Merchant, R. C. (2020). Factors associated with the discordance between the perception of being HIV infected and HIV sexual risk-taking among social media-using Black, Hispanic, and White young men who have sex with men. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, 19, 232595822091926. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325958220919260
Bhana, A., Kreniske, P., Pather, A., Abas, M. A., & Mellins, C. A. (2021). Interventions to address the mental health of adolescents and young adults living with or affected by HIV: state of the evidence. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 24, e25713. https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25713
Bogart, L. M., Galvan, F. H., Leija, J., MacCarthy, S., Klein, D. J., & Pantalone, D. W. (2020). A pilot cognitive behavior therapy group intervention to address coping with discrimination among HIV-positive Latino immigrant sexual minority men. Annals of LGBTQ public and Population Health, 1(1), 6–26. https://doi.org/10.1891/lgbtq.2019-0003
Bowleg, L. (2022). The problem with intersectional stigma and HIV equity research. American Journal of Public Health, 112(S4), S344–S346. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306729
Braidwood Management Inc. v. Xavier Becerra. (2022). https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Kelley%20v%20Becerra%20ECF%2056-1%20-%20Amici%20States%20Brief.pdf
Brito, M. O., Hodge, D., Donastorg, Y., Khosla, S., Lerebours, L., & Pope, Z. (2015). Risk behaviours and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in a group of Dominican gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender women. BMJ Open, 5(4), e007747. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007747
Brooks, R. A., Nieto, O., Landrian, A., & Donohoe, T. J. (2019). Persistent stigmatizing and negative perceptions of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users: Implications for PrEP adoption among Latino men who have sex with men. AIDS Care, 31(4), 427–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2018.1499864
Brown, L. K., Houck, C., Donenberg, G., Emerson, E., Donahue, K., & Misbin, J. (2013). Affect management for HIV prevention with adolescents in therapeutic schools: The immediate impact of project balance. AIDS and Behavior, 17(8), 2773–2780. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0599-
Brown, L. K., Whiteley, L., Houck, C. D., Craker, L. K., Lowery, A., Beausoleil, N., & Donenberg, G. (2017). The role of affect management for HIV risk reduction for youth in alternative schools. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(6), 524–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.03.010
Calabrese, S. K., & Underhill, K. (2015). How stigma surrounding the use of HIV preexposure prophylaxis undermines prevention and pleasure: A call to destigmatize “Truvada whores”. American Journal of Public Health, 105(10), 1960–1964. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302816
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021a). Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2015–2019. HIV surveillance supplemental report 2021. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021b). National center for HIV, viral hepatitis, STD, and TB prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/index.htm
Chaudoir, S. R., Wang, K., & Pachankis, J. E. (2017). What reduces sexual minority stress? A review of the intervention “toolkit”. Journal of Social Issues, 73(3), 586–617. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12233
Clark, H., Babu, A. S., Wiewel, E. W., Opoku, J., & Crepaz, N. (2017). Diagnosed HIV infection in transgender adults and adolescents: Results from the National HIV Surveillance System, 2009–2014. AIDS and Behavior, 21(9), 2774–2783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1656-7
Collins, P. Y., Velloza, J., Concepcion, T., Oseso, L., Chwastiak, L., Kemp, C. G., Simoni, J., & Wagenaar, B. H. (2021). Intervening for HIV prevention and mental health: A review of global literature. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 24(S2), 4–36. https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25710
Courtenay-Quirk, C., Wolitski, R. J., Parsons, J. T., Gómez, C. A., & Seropositive Urban Men’s Study Team. (2006). Is HIV/AIDS stigma dividing the gay community? Perceptions of HIV-positive men who have sex with men. AIDS Education and Prevention, 18(1), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2006.18.1.56
Del RĂo-González, M. A. (2021). To Latinx or not to Latinx: A question of gender inclusivity versus gender neutrality. American Journal of Public Health, 111(6), 1018–1021. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306238
Doitsh, G., & Greene, W. C. (2016). Dissecting how CD4 T cells are lost during HIV infection. Cell Host & Microbe, 19(3), 280–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2016.02.012
Donenberg, G. R., Emerson, E., Mackesy-Amiti, M. E., & Udell, W. (2015). HIV-risk reduction with juvenile offenders on probation. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(6), 1672–1684. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-014-9970-z
Dworkin, S. L. (2005). Who is epidemiologically fathomable in the HIV/AIDS epidemic? Gender, sexuality, and intersectionality in public health. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 7(6), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050500100385
Esposito-Smythers, C., Hadley, W., Curby, T. W., & Brown, L. K. (2017). Randomized pilot trial of a cognitive-behavioral alcohol, self-harm, and HIV prevention program for teens in mental health treatment. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 89, 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2016.11.005
GarcĂa, J. J. (Ed.). (2021). Heart, brain and mental health disparities for LGBTQ people of color. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70060-7
GarcĂa, M., Ramos, S. R., Aponte-Soto, L., Ritchwood, T. D., & Drabble, L. A. (2022). “Family before anyone else:” A qualitative study on family, marginalization, and HIV among Hispanic or Latino/a/x Mexican sexual minority males. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19158899
Hess, K. L., Hu, X., Lansky, A., Mermin, J., & Hall, H. I. (2017). Lifetime risk of a diagnosis of HIV infection in the United States. Annals of Epidemiology, 27(4), 238–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.02.003
Houck, C. D., Barker, D. H., Hadley, W., Brown, L. K., Lansing, A., Almy, B., & Hancock, E. (2016). The 1-year impact of an emotion regulation intervention on early adolescent health risk behaviors. Health Psychology, 35(9), 1036. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000360
Jackson, S. D., Wagner, K. R., Yepes, M., Harvey, T. D., Higginbottom, J., & Pachankis, J. E. (2022). A pilot test of a treatment to address intersectional stigma, mental health, and HIV risk among gay and bisexual men of color. Psychotherapy, 59(1), 96–112. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000417
Jani, N., Vu, L., Kay, L., Habtamu, K., & Kalibala, S. (2016). Reducing HIV-related risk and mental health problems through a client-centred psychosocial intervention for vulnerable adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 19(Suppl 4), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.7448/IAS.19.5.20832
Kempf, M. C., Huang, C. H., Savage, R., & Safren, S. A. (2015). Technology-delivered mental health interventions for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): A review of recent advances. Current HIV/AIDS Reports, 12(4), 472–480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-015-0292-6
Krogstad, J. M., Passel, J. S., & Noe-Bustamante, L. (2021). Key facts about U.S. Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage Month. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/09/09/key-facts-about-u-s-latinos-for-national-hispanic-heritage-month/
Layland, E. K., Carter, J. A., Perry, N. S., Cienfuegos-Szalay, J., Nelson, K. M., Bonner, C. P., & Rendina, H. J. (2020). A systematic review of stigma in sexual and gender minority health interventions. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 10(5), 1200–1210. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibz200
Lee, J., & Hahm, H. C. (2012). HIV risk, substance use, and suicidal behaviors among Asian American lesbian and bisexual women. AIDS Education and Prevention: Official Publication of the International Society for AIDS Education, 24(6), 549–563. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2012.24.6.549
Maiorana, A., Zamudio-Haas, S., Santiago-RodrĂguez, E. I., Sauceda, J. A., RodrĂguez-DĂaz, C. E., Brooks, R. A., & Myers, J. J. (2022). HIV disclosure practices to family among Mexican and Puerto Rican sexual minority men with HIV in the continental USA: Intersections of sexual orientation and HIV stigma. Journal of Homosexuality, 1–25, 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2022.2043731
Malone, J., Reisner, S. L., Cooney, E. E., Poteat, T., Cannon, C. M., Schneider, J. S., Radix, A., Mayer, K. H., Haw, J. S., Althoff, K. N., Wawrzyniak, A. J., Beyrer, C., Wirtz, A. L., & American Cohort to Study HIV Acquisition Among Transgender Women (LITE) Study Group. (2021). Perceived HIV acquisition risk and low uptake of PrEP among a cohort of transgender women with PrEP indication in the Eastern and Southern United States. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 88(1), 10–18. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000002726
Murray, A., Gaul, Z., Sutton, M. Y., & Nanin, J. (2018). “We hide…”: Perceptions of HIV risk among Black and Latino MSM in New York City. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(2), 180–188. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988317742231
Nakimuli-Mpungu, E., Musisi, S., Smith, C. M., Von Isenburg, M., Akimana, B., Shakarishvili, A., Nachega, J. B., Mills, E. J., Chibanda, D., Ribeiro, M., Williams, A. V., & Joska, J. A. (2021). Mental health interventions for persons living with HIV in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 24(S2), 100–114. https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25722
Pachankis, J. E. (2014). Uncovering clinical principles and techniques to address minority stress, mental health, and related health risks among gay and bisexual Men. Clinical Psychology, 21(4), 313–330. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12078
Pachankis, J. E., & Goldfried, M. R. (2004). Clinical issues in working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 41(3), 227–246. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.41.3.227
Pachankis, J. E., Clark, K. A., Jackson, S. D., Pereira, K., & Levine, D. (2021). Current capacity and future implementation of mental health services in US LGBTQ community centers. Psychiatric Services, 72(6), 669–676. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000575
Pachankis, J. E., Soulliard, Z. A., Seager van Dyk, I., Layland, E. K., Clark, K. A., Levine, D. S., & Jackson, S. D. (2022). Training in LGBTQ-affirmative cognitive behavioral therapy: A randomized controlled trial across LGBTQ community centers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(7), 582–599. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000745
Pearson, C. R., Kaysen, D., Huh, D., & Bedard-Gilligan, M. (2019). Randomized control trial of culturally adapted cognitive processing therapy for PTSD substance misuse and HIV sexual risk behavior for native American women. AIDS and Behavior, 23(3), 695–706. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-02382-8
Przeworski, A., & Piedra, A. (2020). The role of the family for sexual minority Latinx individuals: A systematic review and recommendations for clinical practice. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 16(2), 211–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428X.2020.1724109
Rapues, J., Wilson, E. C., Packer, T., Colfax, G. N., & Raymond, F. (2013). Correlates of HIV infection among transfemales, San Francisco, 2010: Results from a respondent-driven sampling study. American Journal of Public Health, 103(8), 1485–1492. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2012.301109
Rendina, H. J., Gamarel, K. E., Pachankis, J. E., Ventuneac, A., Grov, C., & Parsons, J. T. (2017). Extending the minority stress model to incorporate HIV-positive gay and bisexual men’s experiences: A longitudinal examination of mental health and sexual risk behavior. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 51(2), 147–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-016-9822-8
Rueda, S., Mitra, S., Chen, S., Gogolishvili, D., Globerman, J., Chambers, L., Wilson, M., Logie, C. H., Shi, Q., Morassaei, S., & Rourke, S. B. (2016). Examining the associations between HIV-related stigma and health outcomes in people living with HIV/AIDS: A series of meta-analyses. BMJ Open, 6(7), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011453
Santiago-RodrĂguez, E. I., Rivas, C. E., Maiorana, A., PĂ©rez, A. E., Erguera, X., Johnson, M. O., Christopoulos, K. A., Marquez, C., & Sauceda, J. A. (2021). Unpacking the “backpack of shame:” exploring intersections of stigma among Latinx people living with HIV in San Francisco, CA. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 27(4), 630–637. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000487
Sevelius, J., Chakravarty, D., Neilands, T. B., Keatley, J., Shade, S. B., Johnson, M. O., & Rebchook, G. (2021). Evidence for the model of gender affirmation: The role of gender affirmation and healthcare empowerment in viral suppression among transgender women of color living with HIV. AIDS and Behavior, 25(1), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02544-2
Silva-Santisteban, A., Eng, S., de la Iglesia, G., Falistocco, C., & Mazin, R. (2016). HIV prevention among transgender women in Latin America: Implementation, gaps and challenges. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 19(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.7448/IAS.19.3.20799
Soto, R. J., Ghee, A. E., Nunez, C. A., Mayorga, R., Tapia, K. A., Astete, S. G., Hughes, J. P., Buffardi, A. L., Holte, S. E., Holmes, K. K., & Estudio Multicentrico Study Team. (2007). Sentinel surveillance of sexually transmitted infections/HIV and risk behaviors in vulnerable populations in 5 central American countries. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 46(1), 101–111. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0b013e318141f913
Spieldenner, A. (2016). PrEP whores and HIV prevention: The queer communication of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Journal of Homosexuality, 63(12), 1685–1697. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2016.1158012
Stitt, A. L. (2022). Of parades and protestors: LGBTQ+ affirmative acceptance and commitment therapy. Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, 16(4), 422–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/26924951.2022.2092931
Sullivan, C., Lilian, F. L., Irarrázabal, L. V., Villegas, N., Rosina, C. A., & Peragallo, N. (2017). Exploring self-efficacy and perceived HIV risk among socioeconomically disadvantaged Hispanic men. Horizonte de Enfermeria, 28(1), 42–50.
Surace, F. I., Levitt, H. M., & Horne, S. G. (2017). The relation between cultural values and condom use among Latino gay men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 29(3), 252–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538720.2017.1320255
Tan, J. Y., Pratto, F., Paul, J., & Choi, K. H. (2014). A social-ecological perspective on power and HIV/AIDS with a sample of men who have sex with men of colour. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 16(2), 202–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2013.855821
Trimble, J. E., & Dickson, R. (2005). Ethnic gloss. In C. B. Fisher & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Encyclopedia of applied developmental science. SAGE.
United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). What are HIV and AIDS? https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids
Vega, M. Y., Spieldenner, A. R., DeLeon, D., Nieto, B. X., & Stroman, C. A. (2011). SOMOS: Evaluation of an HIV prevention intervention for Latino gay men. Health Education Research, 26(3), 407–418. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyq068
Wallace, D. R. (2021). HIV-associated neurotoxicity and cognitive decline: Therapeutic implications. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 234, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108047
Zellner, T., Trotter, J., Lenoir, S., Walston, K., Men-Na’a, L. D., Henry-Akintobi, T., & Miller, A. (2016). Color it real: A program to increase condom use and reduce substance abuse and perceived stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(1), 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13010051
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
GarcĂa, J.J., Cortez, E.D., Serpas, D.G. (2023). Intersectional and Affirming Psychological Interventions for LGBTQ+ Latinx at Risk of or Living With HIV/AIDS. In: Chaparro, R.A., Abreu, R.L. (eds) LGBTQ+ Affirmative Psychological Interventions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-30644-0_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-30644-0_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-30643-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-30644-0
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)