18. GOALS FOR FELLOWSHIP TRAINING AND CAREER My training goal under this fellowship is to gain further understanding of the mental health issues of minority populations. In the past I have conducted research with Asian Americansand under the proposed study I will examine the effects of psychological interventions on HIV+ gay Latino men. My overall career goal is to conduct research that will benefit minoritycommunities and I feel that the best way to begin to accomplish this goal at this early stage of my graduate career is to do independent research under the supervision of knowledgeable and accomplished minority researchers. As I work towards a career as a research psychologist I hope to develop a clear understanding of what factors prevent the utilization of mental health care by minority individuals and what beneficial outcomes could occur if they were to use such services. With this knowledge, I plan to work to develop better intervention programs for H1V+gay Latino men and for other under served minority groups. SPONSOR I9. NAME AND DEGREE(S) Maila Cecilia Zea, Ph.D. ;;o. POSITION/RANK Associate Professor . RESEARCH INTERESTS/AREAS HIV/AIDS Prevention among Latinos RESEARCH PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION (Do not exceed space provided) The current proposal is concerned with assessing the potential benefits of psychological interventions for HIV+ gay Latino men in the areas of mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation; satisfaction with social support) and adherence to health care. Participants will be recruited from the Washington D.C. area and will answer a survey using the Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewingsoftware (Audio-CASI) which includes an audio channel where questions are read to the participants in English or Spanish. This will ensure that participants who have low literacy or who do not speak English will not be excluded from the study. Past research on HIV+ men tends to focus on highly educated, high SES, Caucasians. This study will attempt to begin to fill in the gap by focusing on an understudied population. The information gained from this investigation will provide a comprehensive understanding of the possible benefits of psychological interventions for HIV+ gay Latino men. This will aid future interventionsaimed towards the under served HIV+ gay Latino community. It is hypothesized that receiving psychological interventions will result in better mental health and better adherence to health care among this population. PH!i 416-1 (Rev. 12/98) Form Page 2 BB cc _ NAME (Last, first, middle initial) Individual NRSA Application Table of Contents ========================================Section End===========================================
| Nakamura, Nadine; Zea, Maria Cecilia (2010) Experiences of homonegativity and sexual risk behaviour in a sample of Latino gay and bisexual men. Cult Health Sex 12:73-85 |
| Jernewall, N; Zea, M C; Reisen, C A et al. (2005) Complementary and alternative medicine and adherence to care among HIV-positive Latino gay and bisexual men. AIDS Care 17:601-9 |
