Perceived Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Recent Latino/a Immigrants: The Moderating Effects of Emotion Regulation and Dispositional Mindfulness.

Their initial years in the U.S. can be stressful for recent Latino/a immigrants (RLIs). This study examines the association between perceived stress and depressive symptoms and the moderating effect of emotion regulation and dispositional mindfulness. Cross-sectional data from an ongoing longitudinal study of RLIs was used. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to examine simple main effects of the predictor variables on depressive symptoms. The study also tested the moderating effects of emotion regulation and dispositional mindfulness on the association between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Greater perceived stress and cognitive reappraisal were associated with greater depressive symptoms. Lower levels of appraisal and higher levels of non-reactivity mindfulness strengthened the association between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Findings can inform the development of culturally tailored interventions that account for distinct aspects of emotion regulation and dispositional mindfulness associated with managing stress and decreasing depressive symptoms among RLIs.

Progreso en Salud: Findings from Two Adapted Social Network HIV Risk Reduction Interventions for Latina Seasonal Workers.

BACKGROUND: Miami-Dade County, where many Latina seasonal workers reside and work, has the highest incidence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the US: a rate four times the national average. Despite this disproportionate risk for HIV, there are no HIV prevention interventions that aim to decrease HIV among Latina seasonal workers. METHODS: The PROGRESO EN SALUD study compared the outcomes of two interventions adapted to include a social network component (VOICES and HEALTHY). Recruitment used a social network respondent-driven sampling design in which each seed was asked to recruit three friends, and those friends were asked to recruit three friends, for a total of twenty groups of 13 friends. We collected data at baseline, and 6 months and 12 months post intervention completion. We used generalized estimating equation models, properly adjusted for non-independent contributions of both social network interventions, to estimate the effects. Gaussian family multivariate models were calculated, addressing exchangeable working correlations, including both individual-level and cluster-level covariates in these models. RESULTS: A total of 261 Latina seasonal workers participated in either the HEALTHY or the VOICES intervention. There were significant changes over time in cognitive factors (HIV knowledge, condom use self-efficacy, and adequate knowledge of condom use), behavioral factors (condom use, female condom use, and HIV testing), and communication factors (talking with friends about HIV prevention and intention to negotiate safe sex with male partners). DISCUSSION: This study supports the literature suggesting that interventions incorporating social networks can have positive effects on HIV prevention and treatment outcomes, including sustained benefits beyond study periods.

Changing demographic among Latino MSM diagnosed with HIV in Florida, 2007-2016.

The study's objective was to assess temporal changes in birth country and age among newly diagnosed Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). We used records from Hispanics/Latinos (2007-2016) who were reported to the Florida HIV/AIDS surveillance system. We compared trends in birth country/region and age by year using a two-sided Cochran-Armitage Trend Test. Of 12,427 new diagnoses, 85.9% were among men. Of men, 79.5% were MSM. The proportion attributable to MSM increased from 70.0% in 2007-85.7% in 2016 (p-value < .0001). Compared with the trend in the proportion of MSM cases born in US-mainland, the proportion born in Cuba (20.0-29.9%; p-value < .0001) and South America (13.8% to 23.2%; p-value < .0001) increased significantly over time, and the proportion born in Central America (8.1% to 4.5%; p-value < .0001) decreased significantly over time. Compared with the trend in the proportion of MSM aged 35-49 years, the proportion aged 13-24 (15.4% to 20.6%; p-value < .0001) and 25-34 (25.0% to 35.6%; p-value < .0001) years increased significantly over time. In Florida, HIV prevention and screening strategies should be enhanced for Cuban and South American immigrants and young Latinos to address the increasing trend in new diagnoses among Latino MSM.

Season of birth: A predictor of ADHD symptoms in early midlife.

OBJECTIVE: In this longitudinal study, we applied linear regression analyses to examine season of birth as related to symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in early midlife. METHOD: We gathered longitudinal data on a prospective cohort of community-dwelling men and women (N = 548) followed from adolescence to early midlife. FINDINGS: The findings indicate that, as compared with participants who were born in the summer, those who were born in the spring (Beta = 0.34; t-statistic = 3.59; p < 0.001) had significantly more ADHD symptoms. In addition, exposure to maternal cigarette smoking in adolescence significantly intensified (p < 0.01) the association between season of birth and ADHD symptoms in early midlife. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that exposure to greater maternal maladaptive behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, may result in a greater vulnerability to other environmental risk factors, such as season of birth.

Developing a Culturally Appropriate HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention Intervention for Latino Criminal Justice Clients.

The population within the criminal justice system suffers from various health disparities including HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). African American and Latino offenders represent the majority of the offender population. Evidence-based interventions to prevent HIV and HCV among criminal justice clients are scant and usually do not take cultural differences into account. Toward this end, this study describes the process of culturally adapting an HIV/HCV prevention intervention for Latino criminal justice clients in Miami, Florida, by using the ecological validity model. Recommendations for culturally adapting an intervention for Latinos include an emphasis on language and integrating cultural themes such as familism and machismo.