Featured Articles from Around the Globe

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

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

Peer Reviewed

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.

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

Thomas Saïas, Mathilde Perray, Karen Devaud, & Johanna Nouchi

Peer Reviewed

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.

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

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

Peer Reviewed

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. 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.

Effects of Youth Mentoring on Depressive Symptoms of Single Mothers

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

Peer Reviewed

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.

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

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

Peer Reviewed

“I have listened to every one of the voicemails you left for me. You are the only one who continued to reach out. Because of you there is one less dead Marine.” - Quote from a Vets4Warriors client

“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. 

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

August J. Hoffman 

Peer Reviewed

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. 

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

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

Peer Reviewed

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.