Jason D.P. Bird | Rutgers at Newark (original) (raw)

Papers by Jason D.P. Bird

Journal of Sex Research, Aug 2, 2016

Gay and bisexual men are at disproportionate risk for HIV infection. While prevention efforts oft... more Gay and bisexual men are at disproportionate risk for HIV infection. While prevention efforts often emphasize consistent condom use, there is growing evidence that men are using seroadaptive safer sex strategies, such as sero-sorting and sero-positioning. This qualitative analysis of 204 HIV-negative and HIV-positive gay and bisexual men explores the ways that a sexual partners' HIV-status can influence safer sex strategies and sexual decisions. The majority of the respondents reported that they were influenced by their partner's HIV-status. Those respondents who reported no influence discussed adhering to safer sex rules that were not dependent on partner status and a lack of concern about HIV. Conversely, respondents who reported influence identified three primary areas of influence: psychological impacts, partner preference and selection, and specific behavioral intentions and strategies. A conceptual model explicating a potential process by which respondents use partner serostatus information in shaping sexual decisions is presented.

Social Work, Jul 1, 2009

This study explored the beliefs of African American male adolescents concerning the high rates of... more This study explored the beliefs of African American male adolescents concerning the high rates of HIV infection among their peers and their reasons for those beliefs. In-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 16 male African Americans, and a thematic analysis of the data was conducted. Half of the participants believed that peers were not becoming infected at higher rates than white youths and reported high rates of sexual risk taking. Conspiracy beliefs and high rates of sexual adventurism for all teenagers were among the reasons offered to support this belief. Participants who believed the uneven incidence rates reported low levels of sexual risk taking. These participants identified early and unsafe sexual activity -- in conjunction with social factors such as negative peer and media influences, poor parental supervision, and dangerous neighborhood environments -- as contributing reasons for these disparate rates. Sexual behaviors were markedly different among both groups. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of culturally relevant approaches to prevention of HIV infection among this group.

Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids/hiv, Jan 24, 2011

Little is known about ethnic differences in HIV-disclosure to sexual partners or the relationship... more Little is known about ethnic differences in HIV-disclosure to sexual partners or the relationship between HIV-disclosure and sexual risk. Differences in HIV-disclosure rates between African American and White men who have sex with men (MSM) were analyzed using data from the Treatment Advocacy Program. In general, the findings suggest that African Americans are less likely than Whites to disclose their HIV-status to sexual partners. The findings also suggest that the African American participants who disclosed to HIV-negative partners were significantly less likely to engage in unprotected anal sex with HIV-negative partners and partners whose HIV status was unknown than those participants who did not disclosure to HIV-negative partners. Although HIV-disclosure appears to be an important factor to consider in HIV-prevention efforts, there are unique factors that influence HIV-disclosure decisions for African American MSM. Interventions should consider these unique challenges before focusing on HIV-disclosure as a primary tool for reducing the transmission of HIV.

Journal of Adolescent Health, Apr 1, 2012

Purpose-There is little research on the impact of role models on health outcomes for Lesbian, Gay... more Purpose-There is little research on the impact of role models on health outcomes for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth. This exploratory study describes the presence and availability of LGBT affirming role models and examines the relationship between the accessibility of role models and health outcomes among a community-based sample of LGBT youth. Methods-A convenience sample of 496 ethnically-diverse, 16-24 year old LGBT youth was recruited to complete a computer-assisted interview using standardized instruments validated with adolescents. The prevalence and characteristics of role models was described. Differences in subgroup distribution were assessed using Pearson Chi-square (p<0.05). Differences in health outcomes for those with and without role models and the nature of those role models were determined using analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) models, with post hoc Bonferroni tests to probe significant global findings. Results-Sixty-percent of the participants reported having a role model, with younger participants significantly more likely to report having a role model. A majority of the participants reported having inaccessible role models, especially among younger participants. The presence and accessibility of a role model did not have a significant relationship to binge drinking, drug use, or STI diagnoses; however, participants with inaccessible role models showed increased psychological distress versus those with accessible or no role models. Conclusions-Inaccessible role models may not be sufficient for protecting youth from negative outcomes and formal mechanisms for connecting LGBT youth with caring adults who can serve as role models, such as mentoring programs, are critical.

Culture, Health & Sexuality, Jan 4, 2017

(2017): "You just can't trust everybody": the impact of sexual risk, partner type and perceived p... more (2017): "You just can't trust everybody": the impact of sexual risk, partner type and perceived partner trustworthiness on HIV-status disclosure decisions among HIV-positive black gay and bisexual men, Culture, Health & Sexuality,

Journal of Adolescence, Dec 4, 2012

ABSTRACTBackgroundAccess and adoption of HIV prevention information are important criteria for re... more ABSTRACTBackgroundAccess and adoption of HIV prevention information are important criteria for reducing HIV infection rates among men who have sex with men.MethodsUsing focus group data, researchers sought to identify sources of HIV prevention information and barriers to adopting protective behaviors among young African American men who have sex with men. Adolescents ages 18–24 were recruited for this study. Focus group data were analyzed to identify themes related to sources of HIV prevention information and barriers to adopting protective behaviors.ResultsResearchers documented that family and friends, formal education, television, and the LGBT community were major sources for HIV prevention information. However, motivation for adopting such information was hampered by apathy, homophobia, and racism.ConclusionFeelings of powerlessness need to be addressed when targeting Black MSM with HIV prevention information.

Journal of Social Service Research, May 1, 2012

African American adolescents continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV, sexually transmit... more African American adolescents continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unanticipated pregnancies. In-depth, face-to-face interviews among a convenience sample of 32 African American adolescents (16 male and 16 female) were used to explore the reasons why some adolescents decided to engage in sex while others chose to delay sexual debut. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Among the overall sample, psychological motivations, external pressure, physical pleasure seeking, and relationship-related motivations were the major themes cited for engaging in sex by participants and their friends. External support, motivation to avoid negative consequences, not feeling ready or lacking interest in sex, and having negative views about sex were among the major reasons for delaying sex. Several of the emergent themes showed gender differences. Suggestions for future research include the need for sexual education, and STI/HIV prevention programs that are gender sensitive and flexible enough to accommodate multiple factors related to sexual debut.

Springer eBooks, 2017

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States disproportionately affects young men ... more The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States disproportionately affects young men who have sex with men (MSM). Adolescence represents a period of significant transition for youth. Young HIV positive gay adolescent males experience increased challenges related to their sexuality and HIV status and the corresponding stigma often associated with negative reactions from family members, peers, and society. This chapter examines core developmental and psychosocial needs of HIV positive gay adolescent males. In this context, pertinent research explores critical experiences related to HIV- and sexuality-based stigma, family and peer relationships, academic achievement, mental health and substance use challenges, and access to treatment. Factors related to positive coping and directions for future interventions are discussed.

Social Service Review, Mar 1, 2008

Journal of Homosexuality, Apr 19, 2016

Young, gay and bisexual men (YGBM) are at increased risk of family rejection, which is related to... more Young, gay and bisexual men (YGBM) are at increased risk of family rejection, which is related to HIV infection. What remains unknown is how family rejection leads to HIV risk. In this exploratory study, qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 HIV-positive YGBM aged 18 to 24. Most participants reported family rejection, which decreased instrumental and emotional support and resulted in participants using riskier ways to support themselves, such as engaging in survival sex. Conceptualizing the findings using a family systems framework, we present a tentative conceptual model to describe the potential relationships between family rejection and HIV risk for YGBM.

Social Work, Nov 9, 2016

Professional social work has long been concerned with social justice, social policy, and the rela... more Professional social work has long been concerned with social justice, social policy, and the relationship between social treatment and social control. However, at times, potential threats to social cohesion become exaggerated in the service of supporting suppressive policies. British sociologist Stanley Cohen referred to such periods as moral panics, which assign unwarranted blame and stigma to sociopolitically weaker, unpopular groups. By constructing those associated with a given social problem as deviant and downplaying underlying structural causes, moral panics foster the enactment of social policies that entrench social disparity and injustice. Understanding how moral panics influence perceptions of social problems and resultant policies will enable social workers to identify whether particular societal groups are unjustly targeted. By synthesizing theoretical and empirical literature on moral panics in U.S. policy arenas relevant to social workers (such as illicit drugs, sexuality, and immigration), this article offers guidance for practitioners, policy advocates, and researchers on assessing their presence.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-related... more The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-related stigma presents a primary barrier to sexual communicationand effectiveHIV prevention. Usingin-depth, qualitative interviews conducted with 20 HIV-positive Black MSM between 2007 and 2008 in Chicago, Illinois, we explored the themes related to HIV-related stigma and the underlying messages HIV-positive Black MSM receive regarding their status. Stigmatizing messages stem from family, churches, and the gay community and from negative, internalized, beliefs HIV-positive Black MSM held about infected individuals before their own infection. HIV stigma influences sexual silence around HIV disclosure, especially to sexual partners. (Am J Public Health. 2013;103:2193‐2199. doi:10. 2105/AJPH.2013.301437)

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2011

This study explores community violence exposures among African American adolescents and whether c... more This study explores community violence exposures among African American adolescents and whether coping strategies were gendered. In-depth interviews are conducted with a sample of 32 African American high school students. Data are analyzed using a thematic analysis. The primary forms of violence exposures are physical attacks, fighting, and incidents involving police, gun violence, and murders. Boys report more exposure to violence as victims and witnesses, whereas girls are more likely to hear about violent acts. Coping styles range from “getting through,” which included both an acceptance of community conditions; “getting along,” which included self-defense techniques; “getting away,” which included avoidance coping strategies; and “getting back,” which consisted of confrontational coping strategies. Boys report more confrontational coping styles than are girls, who utilized more avoidance approaches. Widespread school-based interventions are warranted, given the high prevalence o...

American journal of public health, 2018

Incarceration is considerably more prevalent among sexual and gender minority persons (SGM) than ... more Incarceration is considerably more prevalent among sexual and gender minority persons (SGM) than among the general population. Once behind bars, they are at the greatest risk for health-related harms. Although a growing number of studies have assessed health disparities produced by mass incarceration, scholars are yet to systematically assess the health consequences of incarceration on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We invite public health scholars to study the effects of incarceration on health in the SGM population and provide a roadmap to aid these research efforts. First, we document the disproportionate presence of SGM persons in jails and prisons. Second, we note health-related risks that are the most salient for this population. Third, we recommend examining heterogeneity in the effects of incarceration by teasing out distinct risks for groups defined by sexual orientation, gender identity, and race/ethnicity. Fourth, we note methodological challenges wi...