Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: We examined relationships between sexual risk-taking and negative affect following exposure to a narrative-based HIV-prevention video. The intervention was designed for young men who have sex with men (MSM) and takes a socially optimized learning approach, using a virtual social environment to simulate the interpersonal, emotional, and contextual cues of a sexual scenario. Higher levels of intervention-induced negative affect (particularly fear) were associated with a greater reduction in subsequent risk-taking for MSM who were exposed to an interactive version of the intervention in which they actively made decisions in the context of risk. No such associations were evident for men who passively viewed a noninteractive version. Moreover, the association was restricted to younger MSM, suggesting that developmental factors play a critical role in the intervention’s ability to link affect with subsequent behavior. Unlike traditional approaches, our intervention may result in the automatic encoding of affective cautionary signals.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: All evidence to date indicates that African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. The primary mode of transmission and risk factor is men who have sex with men (MSM). Within the MSM of color population, there are a significant number of men who have sex with both men and with women (MSM/W), yet who do not identify as bisexual or gay. Due to its hidden nature, this sub-population of MSM faces much greater HIV risk. This paper presents data and findings from a Rapid Assessment and Response Evaluation (RARE) project conducted in San Diego with a multi-ethnic sample of MSM and MSM/W. The paper addresses limitations in HIV prevention efforts by discussing the connections between and impact of 1) contextual structural and cultural factors; 2) individual psychological and demographic characteristics of MSM and MSM/W of color, and 3) prevention strategies targeting MSM of color. The role of negative cultural attitudes about sex and HIV/AIDS, self-esteem, substance use and lack of general knowledge about HIV/AIDS and HIV interventions are explored. The paper concludes by making programmatic and policy recommendations to improve HIV prevention efforts for MSM and MSM/W of color.