Latinx adolescent migrant challenges in reuniting with family members.

Family reunification occurs when migrants relocate without intact family units, and later reunite in new countries. Family serial migration and reunification is a global issue, relating to both voluntary and involuntary migrants who seek physical safety, psychological well-being, and economic self-sufficiency in new countries. Early studies alluded to a joyful family reconsolidation, while recent studies have found stressful reunions. This study provides an overview of the family reunification process of Latinx adolescents who have migrated to join their families in the United States (U.S.). The study conducted detailed interviews of 20 Latinx adolescents, aged 12-18 years old, in order to provide an in-depth examination of their pre and postmigration experiences. The results reveal three phases of family reunification: Latinx adolescents' experiences after their parent(s) left to migrate to the U.S.; their own migration journey to the U.S.; and their family reunification, adaptation, and adjustment to the U.S. The findings suggest that it is essential for mental health professionals to understand and acknowledge the multiple psychosocial challenges of Latinx adolescents' reuniting with their families in a new country. This includes feelings of abandonment and grief after their parent(s) departure to the U.S., their own migration journey to the U.S. which may have been experienced as traumatic, and psychosocial challenges in adjustment and adaptation in the U.S. after family reunification.

Race Dialogues in Group Psychotherapy: Key Issues in Training and Practice.

Growing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States and globally requires culturally competent mental health professionals who can address ongoing racial tensions and experiences of racism and xenophobia. Attending to racial and ethnic issues and infusing race and ethnic dialogues in group psychotherapy can play a major role in addressing mental health problems, promoting racial harmony, and healing deep psychological wounds and trauma that are the result of racial tensions. This article describes seven key issues necessary to effectively address race and ethnicity in group psychotherapy.

Impact of perceived HIV stigma within men who have sex with men community on mental health of seropositive MSM.

Emerging evidence has suggested that seropositive men who have sex with men (MSM) do not only face biased treatment from the general public but also from members of the MSM community. We conceptualized such biases perpetuated within the MSM community as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in-group stigma. This study examined the pathways by which perceived HIV in-group stigma impacted the mental health of seropositive MSM in Hong Kong. Internalized HIV stigma, serostatus disclosure concerns, and negative reactions towards HIV stigma were hypothesized as intermediate factors. Based on 100 Chinese seropositive MSM who were on antiretroviral therapy, results of a path analysis partially supported our hypotheses. Only negative reactions towards HIV stigma within the MSM community was a significant intermediate factor. The findings highlight the importance of understanding seropositive MSM's different reactions to HIV stigma perpetuated within the MSM community. On top of stigma reduction research, further research may explore ways that help seropositive MSM cope with HIV in-group stigma and foster resilience.

Neuroanatomical markers of speaking Chinese.

The aim of this study was to identify regional structural differences in the brains of native speakers of a tonal language (Chinese) compared to nontonal (European) language speakers. Our expectation was that there would be differences in regions implicated in pitch perception and production. We therefore compared structural brain images in three groups of participants: 31 who were native Chinese speakers; 7 who were native English speakers who had learnt Chinese in adulthood; and 21 European multilinguals who did not speak Chinese. The results identified two brain regions in the vicinity of the right anterior temporal lobe and the left insula where speakers of Chinese had significantly greater gray and white matter density compared with those who did not speak Chinese. Importantly, the effects were found in both native Chinese speakers and European subjects who learnt Chinese as a non-native language, illustrating that they were language related and not ethnicity effects. On the basis of prior studies, we suggest that the locations of these gray and white matter changes in speakers of a tonal language are consistent with a role in linking the pitch of words to their meaning.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Chinese HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Chinese HIV-infected population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional point prevalence study. All Chinese HIV-infected patients who were followed up in a tertiary referral center in Hong Kong were recruited. Spot urine was saved for each patient to calculate urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (urine P/Cr). Those with urine P/Cr > 0.3 would have 24-h urine collection to determine the exact amount of proteinuria. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using MDRD formula. CKD was defined as GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and/or urine P/Cr > 0.3. Baseline demographic and clinical data were extracted from patients' records. RESULTS: In total 322 patients were recruited. The mean age was 45.2 +/- 11.7 years. The duration of follow up was 6.0 +/- 4.0 years. There were 264 male and 58 female patients. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and CKD were 7.4%, 10.6% and 16.8%, respectively. Eighteen patients (5.6%) had GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 while 44 patients (13.7%) had spot urine P/Cr > 0.3. Among those with urine P/Cr > 0.3, 38 patients had 24-h urine collection. Using univariate analysis, CKD was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with age, hypertension, diabetes, use of indinavir, lower CD4 count and peak viral load. Multivariate logistic regression revealed older age (P < 0.001), lower CD4 count (P = 0.02) and use of indinavir therapy (P = 0.04) were associated with development of CKD. CONCLUSION: CKD is prevalent in Chinese HIV-infected patients. Patients with CKD were more likely to be older, associated with use of indinavir and CD4 nadir less than 100 cells/mul.

Examining attribution model of self-stigma on social support and psychological well-being among people with HIV+/AIDS.

Among various infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS is considered to be one of the most stigmatizing conditions. Using a prospective design, the present study attempted to test the attributional pathway from perceived control to responsibility to self-blame and finally to self-stigmatization, and to examine the social and psychological sequelae of stigma among a sample of 119 people with HIV/AIDS (PWHA) in Hong Kong. Structural equation modeling findings showed that the model had good fit to the data. Although the linkage between the attributions of control, responsibility, and blame was confirmed, the relationship of blame to self-stigma was not significant. Self-stigma was found to dampen social support and lead to psychological distress half a year later. The present study challenged the adequacy of attributional factors in understanding self-stigmatization and demonstrated the impact of stigma on psychological adjustment among PWHA.

Cognitive-behavioral group program for Chinese heterosexual HIV-infected men in Hong Kong.

This study explored the effects of cognitive-behavioral program (CBP) using a wait-list control group in 16 Chinese heterosexual HIV-infected men. Participants in the treatment condition underwent a 7-week group based CBP, which addressed various HIV-related issues. Relevant cognitive and behavioral strategies were taught as well. The aim of treatment was to improve the quality of life and to reduce psychological distress in a sample of heterosexual symptomatic HIV-infected men. Prior to intervention, baseline measures showed that our sample had a lower quality of life in comparison with the local general population. They also experienced a significant level of psychological distress. Following intervention, men in the CBP group demonstrated significant improvement in the mental health dimension of quality of life and a significant reduction in depressed mood. These preliminary findings suggested that short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy can be effective in improving the quality of life and mood of Chinese heterosexual HIV-infected men.

Stress and health-related quality of life among HIV-infected persons in Hong Kong.

This study examines the relationships among illness-related factors, stress, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and psychological distress in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) living in Hong Kong (N = 55). Participants completed questionnaires including a Symptom Checklist, Modified HIV Stressor Scale (HIVSS), Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In addition, CD4 count information was obtained. Multiple regression analyses were used to model the SF-36 and HADS scores as a function of illness-related factors as well as the stress count and intensity. The number of symptoms was found to be inversely related to SF-36 general health and positively related to the HADS anxiety score. However, CD4 count did not have any significant association with any of the scales on the HRQOL or psychological distress. After controlling for the effect of symptoms, the HIVSS stress count still accounted significantly for additional variance in both HADS anxiety and depression as well as the SF-36 social functioning and role-emotional scores. The study supports the possible contribution of psychosocial factors to the HRQOL and psychological distress after controlling for illness-related factors. Results are discussed in the context of characteristic social factors and services in Hong Kong.