COVID-19 and Social Capital Loss: The Results of a Campus Outbreak.

This study examines the effects of a COVID-19 outbreak on levels of social capital on a college campus, drawing on survey data collected from students at two colleges-one that experienced an outbreak and one that did not. Social capital is examined as an individual level resource and as a campus level normative tool used to fight collective action problems. We test the hypothesis that the outbreak, as a "shock" to the campus, diminished social capital. We also test hypotheses on gender, race, and ethnicity and social capital, informed by prior research. Our findings suggest that the outbreak did reduce social capital at both the individual and campus levels, though individual social capital had a mitigating effect that increased campus social capital. We find also that gender was significantly linked to campus social capital, while race was predictive of individual level social capital.

Social capital as mediating factor on COVID-19 induced psychological distress: The case of college students living through an outbreak.

This investigation examines the interplay between individual-level social capital, psychological distress, and the effects of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on a college campus. Data were collected from students at two colleges in early 2021. Hypotheses were formed based on prior research on social capital and the COVID pandemic. A structural equation model was constructed to allow the modeling of both latent and observed variables. The Kessler-6 measures were used to create a latent psychological distress variable, which was the dependent variable. Predictor variables include whether the student experienced the outbreak, the student's race and gender, and the level of reported individual social capital (having supportive and rewarding relationships). Our findings suggest that the most robust predictor of reduced psychological distress was individual social capital, which also served as an intermediary between the outbreak and distress. Social capital mediates psychological distress in an outbreak.

Recent Partner Violence, Sexual Relationship Power, and STIs among Women Who Use Methamphetamine: Does Type of Sexual Partner Matter?

Methamphetamine use, sexual relationship power (SRP), and partner violence (PV) are associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women. The objective of our study was to examine the association of recent PV and SRP on STIs by partner type among HIV-negative, heterosexual women who use methamphetamine in San Diego, CA. Using baseline survey data from 209 women enrolled in FASTLANE II, an HIV behavioral intervention trial, we conducted logistic regression analyses to examine associations between PV, SRP, and self-reported lifetime STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea). Models focused on PV perpetrated within the past 2 months by: (1) spouse, live-in, or steady sexual partners and (2) casual or anonymous sexual partners. Seventy-eight percent of women reported lifetime physical PV and 57% reported lifetime sexual PV. In the past 2 months, 19.6% reported physical and/or sexual violence by a spouse, live-in, or steady sexual partner, and 7.2% reported physical and/or sexual PV by a casual or anonymous partner. Median SRP score was 2.36 (interquartile range: 2.02-2.68). Twenty-six percent of women reported ever being diagnosed with ≥ 1 STI. While recent physical violence and sexual violence were not associated with STI history among women in steady relationships, women who reported recent sexual violence by casual/anonymous partners were approximately 8 times more likely to ever have an STI compared with those with no history of recent PV by casual/anonymous partners (AOR: 7.70; 95% CI: 1.32, 44.84). SRP was not associated with lifetime STIs among women who reported either partner type. Our findings support a relationship between recent sexual violence perpetrated by casual/anonymous partners and women's STI history. Women who use methamphetamine need help in navigating partner violence experiences. Risk reduction interventions to support this marginalized population are needed.

Increased drug use and STI risk with injection drug use among HIV-seronegative heterosexual methamphetamine users.

Methamphetamine (MA) use has been found to be associated with increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among men having sex with men, but it is unknown whether those who inject MA are at greater risk for these infections than those who administer MA by other routes. Furthermore, comparable data from heterosexual MA users are lacking. We investigated whether the HIV and STI risks of male and female heterosexual MA users who inject MA differ from those of comparable users who do not inject. Between 2001 and 2005, we interviewed 452 HIV-negative men and women aged 18 and older who had recently used MA and engaged in unprotected sex. Their mean age was 36.6 years; 68% were male; ethnicity was 49.4% Caucasian, 26.8% African-American, and 12.8% Hispanic. Logistic regression identified factors associated with injecting MA. Compared to non-IDU, IDU were more likely to: be Caucasian; be homeless; have used MA for a longer period and used more grams of MA in the last 30 days; have a history of felony conviction; and report a recent STI. HIV and STI prevention interventions should be tailored according to MA users' method of administration.

Binge use and sex and drug use behaviors among HIV(-), heterosexual methamphetamine users in San Diego.

UNLABELLED: This study identified sociodemographic factors, drug using practices, sexual behaviors, and motivational factors associated with binge (a period of uninterrupted) methamphetamine (MA) use among heterosexual MA users. SAMPLE AND METHOD: The FASTLANE study provided cross-sectional data collected by audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) between June 2001 and August 2004 from 451 HIV-negative MA users in San Diego, California, USA who had engaged in unprotected sex and used MA in the previous two months. RESULTS: The study sample was 67.8% male, 49.4% Caucasian, 26.8% African-American, and 12.8% Hispanic with a mean age of 36.6 years; 183 (40.5%) reported binge use in the past 2 months. Compared with non-binge users, binge users of MA were more likely to report risky drug use and sex behaviors and differed in motivations to initiate and currently use MA. The final logistic regression model for binge use included more days of MA use in the last month, ever treated for MA use, injection drug use, higher Beck Depression Inventory score, "experimentation" as a motivation for initiating MA use, and engaging in sex marathons while high on MA. HIV prevention efforts should differentiate and address these differences in motivations for MA use and the associated HIV-risk sex and drug use behaviors as key targets for effective intervention.

Differences in sexual risk behaviors among male and female HIV-seronegative heterosexual methamphetamine users.

BACKGROUND: Despite increased awareness and attention towards methamphetamine (MA) use among men who have sex with men (MSM), few studies have examined behaviors and effects of MA use among heterosexual populations. OBJECTIVE: To learn whether behaviors and effects of MA use among heterosexuals differ according to gender. METHODS: We examined gender differences in sociodemographic characteristics, drug use practices, sexual behaviors, and consequences and motivations for MA use among 452 HIV-negative MA users (306 men, 146 women) who had engaged in unprotected sex and used MA in the previous two months. RESULTS: Females in the sample were younger and more likely to be married, to have been diagnosed with an STI in the last two months, and to report having been introduced to MA by a sexual partner. Women were also more likely to experience depressive symptoms and to report using MA "to lose weight." Men were more likely to engage in sex marathons while high on MA and to use MA "to enhance sexual pleasure." CONCLUSION: These differences suggest the importance of crafting gender-specific intervention messages, and they may contribute to identifying individuals at risk for initiating MA use. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings contribute to our knowledge of gender differences in behaviors and effects of MA use among heterosexuals. Future studies would benefit from collection of longitudinal data (to assess causal relationships) and use of a control group (to distinguish correlates of MA use from those of drug use in general).

Methamphetamine-using HIV-positive men who have sex with men: correlates of polydrug use.

Methamphetamine use has become a major problem among communities of men having sex with men (MSM), where it has been associated with high-risk behaviors. Methamphetamine is often combined with other drugs that may increase its risks and adverse health consequences. To examine differences in background characteristics, HIVrisk behaviors, and psychosocial variables among polydrug-using HIV-positive MSM, the researchers classified a sample of 261 HIV-positive, methamphetamine-using MSM into three user groups: (1) methamphetamine only; (2) methamphetamine, marijuana, and poppers (light polydrug users); and (3) methamphetamine and other drugs (e.g., cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and ketamine; heavy polydrug users). Only 5% reported using only methamphetamine during the past 2 months; 31% were classified as light polydrug users, and 64% were classified as heavy polydrug users. Heavy polydrug users were significantly younger than light polydrug users (35.6 vs. 38.4, P<.01) and reported using methamphetamine for significantly fewer years (10.3 vs. 14.2 years, P<.001), but did not differ in the amount and frequency of methamphetamine or alcohol consumed. Heavy polydrug users reported significantly more sex partners of HIV-negative and unknown serostatus and had more unprotected sex with these partners. Heavy polydrug users had significantly higher scores on impulsivity and negative self-perceptions, as compared with those of light polydrug users. In this sample of HIV-positive MSM, most of those who used methamphetamine had a pattern of polydrug use. Heavy polydrug users reported significantly more high-risk sexual behaviors and tended toward higher levels of impulsivity than light polydrug users. The implications of these findings are two-fold: (1) Longitudinal research is needed to establish causal relationships among methamphetamine use, impulsivity, negative self-perceptions, and sexual risk behavior in this target population; (2) behavioral interventions should evaluate whether methamphetamine use and sexual risk behavior can be reduced by modifying impulsivity and negative self-perceptions.