Volume 11, No. 3

Darya Kizub, Laura Quilter, Lucy Atieno, Teddy Brian Aloo, Duncan O. Okall, Fredrick O. Otieno, Robert C. Bailey, Susan M. Graham

Empowering peer outreach workers in an HIV prevention and care program for Kenyan gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: challenges and opportunities in the Anza Mapema Study

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Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In rights-constrained settings with pervasive stigma, peer outreach workers play a key role in recruitment and retention of MSM in HIV research, prevention, and treatment programs. We explored factors affecting the empowerment of peers in an HIV prevention and care study for MSM in Kisumu, Kenya, with the goal of improving program services and supporting good participatory practice. The Anza Mapema study, conducted from 8/2015-10/2017, aimed to enroll 700 MSM in a comprehensive package of find, test, link and retain in HIV prevention and care interventions, with quarterly follow-up over 12 months. Seventeen mostly heterosexual salaried staff implemented the clinical and research components of the study, while 13 gay and bisexual peers facilitated recruitment, retention, and participant education, supported by a monthly stipend. A community advisory board provided feedback on program methods and performance. In-depth interviews with peers and staff at two timepoints were used to obtain feedback and make program improvements. Thematic analysis was conducted, and results were presented to peers and staff for discussion and triangulation. Despite mutual appreciation of peers’ contributions to the project, peers and staff had different goals and vision for Anza Mapema. While staff focused on implementing the study protocol, peers envisioned broader programming including community-building activities, advocacy, mental health and substance use services, and economic empowerment. From the outset, power disparities and power struggles between peers and staff favored the staff, as peers were younger, less educated, and had lower compensation for their time. While peers appreciated the opportunity to help their community and the free health services provided by the project, they voiced concerns about stigmatizing attitudes from some staff, insufficient training, exclusion from decision-making, minimal representation on the study team, and lack of opportunities for advancement. Staff were supportive of peer’s requests but felt constrained by limited funding and rigid study timelines. Peers’ concerns were addressed at least in part through monthly team meetings with program leadership, weekly meetings with outreach coordinators, additional training, the promotion of one peer to a salaried position, and the development of community-building activities and a support group for participants who struggled with alcohol and drugs. Integration of gay and bisexual peers into HIV research and programming is critical in rights-constrained settings but challenged by disparities in power between peers and staff. Empowerment of peers is an important component of good participatory practice, and requires attention to training, inclusion in decision-making, opportunities for advancement, and support for community-building. Future studies that rely on peers for participant recruitment and retention should address these issues and make peer empowerment an overt component of the program. 

Thomas Saïas, Mathilde Perray, Karen Devaud, Johanna Nouchi

Social Representations of Indigenous People within a sample of non-Indigenous Young in Quebec, Canada

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Relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Quebec have been characterized by cultural and political domination by European-Canadian populations. Recently, a pro-reconciliation political movement has emerged and is trying to ease these relations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which the pro-reconciliation discourse has succeeded in being integrated into the social representations of the youngest Quebeckers. Using a qualitative methodology, we have highlighted that a paternalistic discourse remains, as well as elements of representation that identify indigenous people as diseased, helpless and freeloaders. The discussion focuses on the dangers of a reconciliation approach that would only emphasize the place of Indigenous people without taking into account the obstacles generated by the implicit prejudice of social representations.

M. Alejandra Arce, Daniel W. Snook, Hannah L. Joseph, Miklós B. Halmos, Rebecca Rodriguez, Rosario de la Torre, Teresa Burns, Gabriel P. Kuperminc

From Theory to Practice: Forging a Collaborative Evaluation Strategy for a Culturally-Informed Domestic Violence Initiative

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Community programs for domestic violence (DV) in the U.S. have historically focused on White populations. Few programs exist to meet the needs of racial/ethnic minority populations, including Latinx women, who encounter greater barriers to access services than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Casa de Esperanza is one of the few organizations in the U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of Latinx survivors of DV. In particular, their Family Advocacy Initiative (FAI) seeks to support Latinx communities impacted by DV by facilitating a variety of services including a 24-hour hotline, shelter, community advocacy, and transitional housing support network. This program utilizes Casa de Esperanza’s Latina Advocacy Framework, which was developed to address the unique risks, considerations, and needs of Latinx communities, but has yet to be empirically evaluated. As part of a graduate community psychology course on assessment, consultation, and evaluation, a university-community partnership was established to explore the process of defining, designing, and planning an evaluation of Casa de Esperanza’s FAI. This paper describes the university team’s process in learning about Casa de Esperanza and the FAI and collaboratively developing an evaluation plan. We briefly summarize the program’s theory of change, review its logic model, and present results from a focus group conducted with program staff. Based on this information we discuss the evaluation and recommendations for implementing it. Throughout the paper, we highlight the need for culturally sensitive programs for survivors of DV and the importance and benefits of collaborative community partnerships and evidence-based evaluative learning.

Tina Braun, Joachim Kruse, Jennifer Singleton, Benjamin Hiemeyer, Timo von Oertzen

Effects of Youth Mentoring on Depressive Symptoms of Single Mothers

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Past evaluation studies of youth mentoring programs have focused solely on the children. While they are often the main recipient of the mentoring, effects on parents should not be neglected. Especially single mothers often face many challenges in their everyday life and might benefit from youth mentoring programs. In the present study we investigate whether youth mentoring programs can lower depressive symptoms in single mothers. The hypothesis was investigated using data of the youth mentoring program” biffy Berlin e.V. Big Friends for Youngsters”. The results showed a significant association between depressive symptoms and duration of the mentoring relationship while relevant covariates were controlled. In a follow-up analysis we explored whether reduced levels of stress might mediate the association and the data was in line with this idea. Implications for future studies are discussed.

Edwin B. Fisher, Patrick Y. Tang, Megan Evans, Nivedita Bhushan, Mark A. Graham, Dawn Dreyer Valovcin, Cherie Castellano

The Fundamental Value of Presence in Peer and Mutual Support: Observations from Telephone Support for High Risk Groups

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“Being there” takes on considerable importance amidst recognition of the substantial deleterious effects of social isolation and loneliness. In particular, presence/ “being there” may be important features of the many contributions of peer and mutual support to health and wellbeing. This study examined how peer support may enhance a sense of presence based on a) contact data for years 2015-2016 from telephonic peer support services of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, and b) structured interviews with peer supporters and clients of these programs. Features of peer support that convey presence include a) 24/7 availability, b) structure of peer support around shared cultural roles – e.g., “Cop2Cop,” “Mom2Mom,” rather than shared diagnoses, c) training of supporters to provide a setting for open expression of feelings, and d) structural features such as IT systems that facilitate continuity by enabling those answering a call readily to refer to previous calls. Impacts include client reports of being understood, not being judged, and being cared for through routine follow-up, even though contact such as voicemails. Managers and peer supporters should recognize the diverse organizational and processes that convey presence/ “being there” and its central importance in peer and mutual support.

August J. Hoffman

Stewardship, Volunteerism and "Green" Sustainable Programs: Core Values of Community Psychology

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This theoretical paper examined how universal core values of community psychology are interpersonally and phenomenologically experienced through the development of different forms of green space sustainable and natural environments. In this paper we examine how community gardening and interdependent experiences in natural environments have facilitated a greater respect for human diversity, increased sense of community, resilience and hope for the future. Additionally, we examine how community gardening and horticultural programs may serve as unique activities that have helped improve physical health and psychological states of well-being to ethnically diverse populations through increased access to healthy foods.

Kimberly Morgan, Suzy Herbert, Melissa Dellens, Connie Connie Yang, Tanya Barr, Krista Page, Deshanna Finn, Jade Richards

A Community Narration Assessment of Master's Level Psychology Students at Antioch University Los Angeles

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Applied Community Psychology (ACP) is a specialty field of study in the Master’s of Arts in Clinical Psychology (MAP) at Antioch University Los Angeles (AULA).  Students participate in classes and workshops that present theory along with opportunities for real life application.  In the Spring 2019 quarter, eight students were enrolled in a Community Narration (CN) approach workshop to learn the theory and practice of facilitating the CN.  The students used CN to discover commonalities and differences in their experiences as students of AULA.  They created a community narrative which expressed the culture of students at AULA.  In addition, the students learned how to conduct CN in the community with application in program evaluation and consultation.  A discussion of the results of the community narrative that emerged is described, and implications for faculty and administrators are presented.