The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59711

Gladys E. Ibañez, PhD, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8 Corporate Square Blvd, Mailstop E-37, Atlanta, GA 30329-2013, 404-639-1901, gbi2@cdc.gov

For Latino communities, oppression in the form of racism, homophobia, and poverty has been shown to be associated with psychological distress and risky sexual behaviors. Despite evidence suggesting that the social conditions experienced by Latinos may contribute their risk for HIV, theories to explain the role of oppression are lacking. This paper attempts to address this gap by offering a theoretical framework for future research on oppression and HIV based on the concept of liberation psychology and concientización.

According to liberation psychology, there are three urgent tasks that researchers need to understand in the study of oppression: the recovery of historical memory, de-ideologizing everyday experience, and utilizing the people’s virtue. Awareness of these three aspects of oppression leads to concientización, or critical consciousness. Concientización is the process that disenfranchised people have used in the past to change their social conditions.

Using liberation psychology and concientización, this paper will discuss the different forms of oppression facing Latino communities and their influence on HIV risk. Topics include beliefs about homosexuality in indigenous cultures (recovery of historical memory); challenging societal (e.g., heterosexism) and cultural (e.g., machismo) ideologies; and focusing on resiliency factors in Latino communities (e.g., family support, community involvement). Finally, this paper will suggest potential structural interventions that address the many forms of oppression that lead to increased HIV risk within Latino communities such as challenging internalized oppression, encouraging critical thinking about socialization agents, cognitive reframing of the problem, critical consciousness, and community activism.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• 1. List three forms of oppression facing Latinos within the general society and within the Latino community.
• 2. Describe the association between oppression and sexual risk behaviors.
• 3. Identify potential topics for structural interventions that may reduce HIV risk for Latinos.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.