Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Division of Life Sciences, College of Letters and Sciences and Distinguished Professor of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health
Journal for Social Action in Counseling & Psychology, 2013
Psychological science offers a variety of methods to both understand and intervene when acts of p... more Psychological science offers a variety of methods to both understand and intervene when acts of potential racial or ethnic racism, bias or prejudice occur. The Trayvon Martin killing is a reminder of how vulnerable African American men and boys, especially young African American men, are to becoming victims of social inequities in our society. We examine several historical events of racial bias (the Los Angeles civil disturbance after the Rodney King verdict, the federal government’s launch of a “War on Drugs” and the killing of Trayvon Martin) to illustrate the ways in which behaviors of racism and race-based discrimination can be viewed from a psychological science lens in the hopes of eliminating and preventing these behaviors. If society is to help end the genocide of African American men and boys then we must broaden our focus from simply understanding instances of victimization to a larger concern with determining how policies, laws, and societal norms serve as the foundation ...
ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies have explored the relationship between the legacy of the Tu... more ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies have explored the relationship between the legacy of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and reluctance of minorities to participate in HIV/AIDS related treatment or clinical research with mixed results. The purpose of this study was to examine community generated beliefs and conspiracy theories about HIV/AIDS based in the Tuskegee legacy and actual knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with Black (n=510) and Latino (n=253) residents age 18-45 in low-income households in predominantly minority neighborhoods in Los Angeles as a part of a larger health survey. Results: Blacks were significantly more likely than Latinos to endorse HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs. When asked to describe the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, 72% and 94% of Blacks and Latinos, respectively, were unable to describe the experiment factually. Of those who had heard about the study, 7% and 3% of Blacks and Latinos, respectively, also could not provide factual details. For those who were aware and could report with accuracy there was a positive correlate of endorsement of the conspiracy statements', lower levels of AIDS knowledge and more likely to be Black. Conclusions: Results of this study raise questions about the extent to which the actual Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is operating in the participation of African Americans in HIV/AIDS clinical trials, prevention and intervention efforts. Results suggest that we focus on other factors, particularly low levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and what symbolically is represented by Tuskegee, as a method for increasing HIV/AIDS research participation.
Using the California Quality of Life surveys, we examined suicidal ideation and attempts in 129 l... more Using the California Quality of Life surveys, we examined suicidal ideation and attempts in 129 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) veterans and in 315 heterosexual veterans in 2008–2009 and 2012–2013. Although there were no significant differences in the past 12-month suicidal ideation and lifetime attempts, LGB veterans had higher odds of lifetime suicidal ideation than heterosexual veterans (adjusted odds ratio = 3.00; 95% confidence interval = 1.38, 6.53). Suicide assessment and prevention efforts in LGB veterans could benefit from a life-course perspective regarding suicide risk.
Physicians' ability to diagnose and treat health care problems, particularly those with a psy... more Physicians' ability to diagnose and treat health care problems, particularly those with a psychosocial component, is facilitated by accurate information concerning the life-styles of their patients. White lesbians have been shown to be generally reluctant to disclose sexual orientation to their physicians, but little, if anything, is known about black lesbians. Black women, self-identified as bisexuals (N = 65) and lesbians (N = 529), were asked whether they had disclosed their homosexual behavior to their physicians. In the sample, only a third of the women had. Previous sexual experiences, both heterosexual and homosexual, were also queried to illuminate patterns of gynecologic health risk factors. Nearly all of the women reported previous heterosexual experiences.
Approximately 25 percent of persons diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have... more Approximately 25 percent of persons diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been black. This paper examines three areas of concern when focusing on AIDS in the black population: differences from whites in patterns of transmission of the infection, cultural factors that may affect health education efforts, and ethnically relevant issues in the provision of medical care to black persons with AIDS. Recognition of these differences is important in developing appropriate AIDS-related services for the black population. First, the epidemiologic pattern of infection in the black population differs from whites. Although they represent only 12 percent of the American population, blacks make up nearly one-quarter of reported AIDS cases. Currently, it is estimated that between 1 and 1.4 percent of the black population may be infected with the human T-lymphotropic virus/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV), a rate estimated to be three times that of whites. In ad...
Background Prior research has shown a higher prevalence of substance use and mental disorders amo... more Background Prior research has shown a higher prevalence of substance use and mental disorders among sexual minorities, however, the influence of sexual orientation on treatment seeking has not been widely studied. We use a model of help-seeking for vulnerable populations to investigate factors related to treatment for alcohol or drug use disorders and mental health disorders, focusing on the contributions of gender, sexual orientation, and need. Methods Survey data were obtained from a population-based probability sample of California residents that oversampled for sexual minorities. Logistic regression was used to model the enabling, predisposing, and need-related factors associated with past-year mental health or substance abuse treatment utilization among adults aged 18–64 (N = 2,074). Results Compared with individuals without a diagnosed disorder, those with any disorder were more likely to receive treatment. After controlling for both presence of disorder and other factors, les...
Journal for Social Action in Counseling & Psychology, 2013
Psychological science offers a variety of methods to both understand and intervene when acts of p... more Psychological science offers a variety of methods to both understand and intervene when acts of potential racial or ethnic racism, bias or prejudice occur. The Trayvon Martin killing is a reminder of how vulnerable African American men and boys, especially young African American men, are to becoming victims of social inequities in our society. We examine several historical events of racial bias (the Los Angeles civil disturbance after the Rodney King verdict, the federal government’s launch of a “War on Drugs” and the killing of Trayvon Martin) to illustrate the ways in which behaviors of racism and race-based discrimination can be viewed from a psychological science lens in the hopes of eliminating and preventing these behaviors. If society is to help end the genocide of African American men and boys then we must broaden our focus from simply understanding instances of victimization to a larger concern with determining how policies, laws, and societal norms serve as the foundation ...
ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies have explored the relationship between the legacy of the Tu... more ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies have explored the relationship between the legacy of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and reluctance of minorities to participate in HIV/AIDS related treatment or clinical research with mixed results. The purpose of this study was to examine community generated beliefs and conspiracy theories about HIV/AIDS based in the Tuskegee legacy and actual knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with Black (n=510) and Latino (n=253) residents age 18-45 in low-income households in predominantly minority neighborhoods in Los Angeles as a part of a larger health survey. Results: Blacks were significantly more likely than Latinos to endorse HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs. When asked to describe the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, 72% and 94% of Blacks and Latinos, respectively, were unable to describe the experiment factually. Of those who had heard about the study, 7% and 3% of Blacks and Latinos, respectively, also could not provide factual details. For those who were aware and could report with accuracy there was a positive correlate of endorsement of the conspiracy statements', lower levels of AIDS knowledge and more likely to be Black. Conclusions: Results of this study raise questions about the extent to which the actual Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is operating in the participation of African Americans in HIV/AIDS clinical trials, prevention and intervention efforts. Results suggest that we focus on other factors, particularly low levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and what symbolically is represented by Tuskegee, as a method for increasing HIV/AIDS research participation.
Using the California Quality of Life surveys, we examined suicidal ideation and attempts in 129 l... more Using the California Quality of Life surveys, we examined suicidal ideation and attempts in 129 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) veterans and in 315 heterosexual veterans in 2008–2009 and 2012–2013. Although there were no significant differences in the past 12-month suicidal ideation and lifetime attempts, LGB veterans had higher odds of lifetime suicidal ideation than heterosexual veterans (adjusted odds ratio = 3.00; 95% confidence interval = 1.38, 6.53). Suicide assessment and prevention efforts in LGB veterans could benefit from a life-course perspective regarding suicide risk.
Physicians' ability to diagnose and treat health care problems, particularly those with a psy... more Physicians' ability to diagnose and treat health care problems, particularly those with a psychosocial component, is facilitated by accurate information concerning the life-styles of their patients. White lesbians have been shown to be generally reluctant to disclose sexual orientation to their physicians, but little, if anything, is known about black lesbians. Black women, self-identified as bisexuals (N = 65) and lesbians (N = 529), were asked whether they had disclosed their homosexual behavior to their physicians. In the sample, only a third of the women had. Previous sexual experiences, both heterosexual and homosexual, were also queried to illuminate patterns of gynecologic health risk factors. Nearly all of the women reported previous heterosexual experiences.
Approximately 25 percent of persons diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have... more Approximately 25 percent of persons diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been black. This paper examines three areas of concern when focusing on AIDS in the black population: differences from whites in patterns of transmission of the infection, cultural factors that may affect health education efforts, and ethnically relevant issues in the provision of medical care to black persons with AIDS. Recognition of these differences is important in developing appropriate AIDS-related services for the black population. First, the epidemiologic pattern of infection in the black population differs from whites. Although they represent only 12 percent of the American population, blacks make up nearly one-quarter of reported AIDS cases. Currently, it is estimated that between 1 and 1.4 percent of the black population may be infected with the human T-lymphotropic virus/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV), a rate estimated to be three times that of whites. In ad...
Background Prior research has shown a higher prevalence of substance use and mental disorders amo... more Background Prior research has shown a higher prevalence of substance use and mental disorders among sexual minorities, however, the influence of sexual orientation on treatment seeking has not been widely studied. We use a model of help-seeking for vulnerable populations to investigate factors related to treatment for alcohol or drug use disorders and mental health disorders, focusing on the contributions of gender, sexual orientation, and need. Methods Survey data were obtained from a population-based probability sample of California residents that oversampled for sexual minorities. Logistic regression was used to model the enabling, predisposing, and need-related factors associated with past-year mental health or substance abuse treatment utilization among adults aged 18–64 (N = 2,074). Results Compared with individuals without a diagnosed disorder, those with any disorder were more likely to receive treatment. After controlling for both presence of disorder and other factors, les...
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Papers by Vickie Mays