La mancha negra: substance abuse, violence, and sexual risks among Hispanic males.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Hispanics are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV. Although the relationship between these conditions has been documented in the literature, few studies have explored the intersection of these health problems and their culture-related risk factors in an integrative manner. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences that Hispanic heterosexual males in South Florida have with substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Three focus groups with a total of 25 Hispanic adult men are completed and analyzed using grounded theory. Three core categories emerge from the data. These include la cuna de problemas sociales (the cradle of social problems), ramas de una sola mata (branches from one same tree), and la mancha negra (the black stain). This study suggests that substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors are linked conditions with common cultural and socioenvironmental risk factors and consequences.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Gonzalez-Guarda, RM; Ortega, J; Vasquez, EP; De Santis, J

Published Date

  • February 2010

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 32 / 1

Start / End Page

  • 128 - 148

PubMed ID

  • 19915207

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3070461

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1552-8456

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0193-9459

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/0193945909343594

Language

  • eng