Differential Challenges in Coalition Building Among HIV Prevention Coalitions Targeting Specific Youth Populations

Abstract

Coalitions provide the potential for merging the power, influence, and resources of fragmented individuals and institutions into one collective group that can more effectively focus its efforts on a specific community health issue. Connect to Protect® coalitions devote resources to address the HIV epidemic at a structural level. This research examines differential challenges in coalition processes that may facilitate/hinder coalition building to achieve HIV prevention through structural change. Qualitative interviews conducted with community partners participating across 10 coalitions were analyzed to compare responses of those individuals working on HIV prevention coalitions targeting adolescent and young adult gay and bisexual men versus those targeting adolescent and young adult heterosexual women. Community partner responses revealed differences across several key areas including: a) acceptability and goals in discussing sexual issues with adolescents, b) goals of sexual health promotion activities, and c) competition among collaborating agencies. Themes highlighted in this research can complement existing community intervention literature by helping community mobilizers, interventionists, and researchers understand how cultural norms affect youth-specific coalition work.

“There’s Gotta Be Some Give and Take”

“…Perceived expertise often gives researchers priority in agenda-setting, legitimacy in research activities, and power within the overall partnership (Cherry & Shefner, 2004; Pokorny et al, 2004). Interpersonal, institutional, and larger systemic conflicts may persist as a result of inequitable decision-making processes and access to resources (Afshar, 2005; Bayne-Smith, Mizrahi, & Garcia, 2008; Robles-Schrader, Harper, Purnell, Monarrez, & Ellen, 2012). Arguably, researchers’ perspectives are often privileged and promoted within partnerships.…”

Toward Sexual Health Equity for Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: An Intergenerational, Collaborative, Multisector Partnerships Approach to Structural Change

“…89S development, implementation, and evaluation of social change interventions (Eng & Blanchard, 2006;Harper, Contreras, Bangi, & Pedraza, 2003;Robles-Schrader et al, 2012;Suarez-Balcazar & Harper, 2003;Ziff et al, 2006). Health-focused coalitions have demonstrated that participatory processes are effective in addressing historical and systemic barriers to health promotion and in designing effective community-determined solutions (Harper et al, 2004;Israel et al, 2010;Lantz, Viruell-Fuentes, Israel, Softley, & Guzman, 2001).…”

“…Decades of research has illustrated the value and importance of using collaborative processes to address historical injustices (Israel, Schulz, Parker, & Becker, 1998; Schulz, Krieger, & Galea, 2002; Wallerstein & Duran, 2006). The creation of community coalitions allows stakeholders to assess community needs, share their perspectives, and actively shape and participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of social change interventions (Eng & Blanchard, 2006; Harper, Contreras, Bangi, & Pedraza, 2003; Robles-Schrader et al, 2012; Suarez-Balcazar & Harper, 2003; Ziff et al, 2006). Health-focused coalitions have demonstrated that participatory processes are effective in addressing historical and systemic barriers to health promotion and in designing effective community-determined solutions (Harper et al, 2004; Israel et al, 2010; Lantz, Viruell-Fuentes, Israel, Softley, & Guzman, 2001).…”

“…Such frameworks posit that the ways in which various social identities are positioned reveal structural-level relationships among systems of oppression and injustices like racism and sexism (Bowleg, 2013; Crenshaw, 1989). Effective community mobilization for health equity must identify and address structural inequities in order to respond to the specific needs of stigmatized and marginalized communities (Harper, 2007; Robles-Schrader et al, 2012).…”

Ensuring Community Participation During Program Planning: Lessons Learned During the Development of a HIV/STI Program for Young Sexual and Gender Minorities

“…These data underscore the importance of developing interventions that meet and address YGBMTW's HIV/STI prevention needs effectively, including the development of race‐specific cultural messages (Harper, Tyler, Bruce, Graham & Wade, ) and strengths‐based approaches (Reed & Miller, ) when working with young racial/ethnic YGBMTW populations. Thus, consistent with a community organizing framework, program planning efforts must identify the structural and community factors that fuel these disparities, and propose sustainable, high‐impact solutions that are reflective of communities often times underrepresented, marginalized, or stigmatized (Harper, ; Harper et al., ; Miller et al., ; Robles‐Schrader, Harper, Purnell & Monares, ).…”