292793
Mental health, risky sexual behaviors, and substance abuse amongst incarcerated African American men: A qualitative study
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Lawrence Rapier, BS,
Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, East Point, GA
Ronald Braithwaite, PhD,
Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, East Point, GA
The intersection of mental health, risky sexual behaviors and substance abuse is often overlooked in the African American community. This is especially true among disenfranchised groups of the community such as those that are homeless or incarcerated. A qualitative study of incarcerated, substance abusing African American men was conducted. Twenty-one men were recruited and followed for four weeks following their release from jail. Data were obtained via focus groups, individual interviews, and audio diaries focusing on substance abuse, social support, risky sexual behaviors, and resources. The data were transcribed and managed using Nvivo 8. A content analysis was performed yielding themes such as low self-esteem and depression leading to abusing substances as a means of self-medication and to higher activity of risky sexual behaviors. Both substance abuse and engaging in risky sexual behaviors often lead to re-arrests which would in turn lead back to unresolved mental health issues; therefore, continuing a cycle of arrests, risky sexual behaviors, and substance abuse. These behaviors were often mirrored by the participant's support system, typically other substance abusers. Severed or damaged family ties were related to depression and substance abuse. Participants reported not using substances once around family and positive support. Findings support the need for mental health assessment and intervention. This coupled with promoting mental health awareness among this population can have a positive impact on substance abuse, recidivism, and sexual health practices.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify the mental health issues faced by African American men with a history of incarceration and substance abuse, as described by the study sample.
Describe the intersection of mental health, risky sexual behaviors and substance abuse among the study sample.
Discuss how the findings of the study may impact mental health treatment for the study population.
Keyword(s): Drug Addiction, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a program coordinator of several federally funded grants focusing on HIV prevention and risky sexual behavior. The latest of which also focusing on substance abuse and re-incarceration. Among my scientific interests has been the strategies for decreasing substance abuse, recidivism, and HIV prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.