Examining Cultural Competency and Sexual Abuse Training Needs among Service Providers Working with Black and Latino Sexual Minority Men

Downing, Martin J.; Benoit, Ellen; Coe, Lauren; Brown, Dominique; Steen, Jeffrey T.

doi:10.1080/01488376.2022.2157524

Cited by 2 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Provider level of experience ranged from 4 months to 25 years in their roles. Most appeared to draw on their training and experience (personal and professional) to speculate about context, including sexual socialization, though prior CSA training was not common among the interviewees (Downing et al, 2022). In what follows, we briefly summarize the four vignettes included for this analysis and present interpretations by SP of the sexual circumstances depicted in each of the vignettes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly. common among the interviewees (Downing et al, 2022). In what follows, we briefly summarize the four vignettes included for this analysis and present interpretations by SP of the sexual circumstances depicted in each of the vignettes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An additional implication of this study is the potential use of vignettes to train providers to recognize CSA, especially in those instances that may be more ambiguous—such as the experiences of Paul and Chris. This vignette-based research, combined with an assessment of SP training needs pertaining to issues of sexuality and sexual abuse (Downing et al, 2022), indicates potential utility for developing and testing a trauma-informed curriculum for recognizing/identifying cases of sexual abuse with racial and ethnic minority SMM and referring men to effective treatment or counseling opportunities. Such a curriculum would likely emphasize managing provider bias and issues of client safety, particularly during disclosure of formative sexual experiences (appraised as consensual or abusive), and would consider cultural, historical, and gender factors that may influence such appraisals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study team also conducted interviews with SP from the New York City area. Prior reporting, based on those interviews, identified cultural competency and sexual abuse training needs as they pertain to working with Black and Latino SMM who have histories of CSA (Downing et al, 2022). In the present paper, we report findings from a directed content analysis of provider interpretations of early sexual experiences depicted in vignettes created from interviews with Black MSMW.…”

Section: Csa Histories and Disclosure In Sexual Minority Menmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Service provider interpretations of childhood sexual experiences among sexual minority men.

Benoit¹,

Downing²,

Brown³

et al. 2023

Psychological Services

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In this study, we report findings from a directed content analysis of service provider (SP) interpretations of early sexual experiences depicted in vignettes created from retrospective interviews with Black sexual minority men. Specifically, we explore whether SP recognize circumstances of abuse in the vignette narrators' sexual histories. Data for this analysis come from in-person qualitative interviews conducted with 35 providers working in substance abuse treatment and allied health service settings (e.g., mental health, HIV prevention and outreach) across the New York City area. The interviewees were asked to evaluate each of five vignettes depicting a range of early sexual experiences as described by the narrators [e.g., unwanted experiences with a male or female consistent with definitions of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), consensual sex with an older male or female]. Based on analysis of provider responses to the vignettes, we found that most recognized differences in age and authority as abuse indicators. Many of the providers struggled with assertions by vignette narrators that they had consented to the encounters-specifically those that could be considered abusive. Findings highlight areas to focus on in developing additional provider training, including the challenges of defining CSA, age and other factors that influence consent, and how cultural background and sexual minority status may shape men's appraisals of their experiences. Impact StatementSubstance abuse treatment and other allied health services providers evaluated Black sexual minority men's descriptions of early sexual experiences. Most providers recognized obvious indicators of abuse, but struggled with men's descriptions of problematic encounters as consensual. Findings suggest the need for additional provider training on issues of consent and on the effects of cultural background and sexual minority status on men's appraisals of their experiences.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Csa Histories and Disclosure In Sexual Minority Menmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Service provider interpretations of childhood sexual experiences among sexual minority men.

Benoit¹,

Downing²,

Brown³

et al. 2023

Psychological Services

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“…Some research points to the importance of assessing for trauma, including sexual abuse, in primary care (Goldstein et al, 2018) and substance use treatment settings (Santo et al, 2021). However, health care providers may not have sufficient training and practice in sexual history taking (Downing et al, 2023).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Black and Latino sexual minority men’s perspectives on assessment of sexual history in diverse health care settings.

Downing,

Benoit,

Steen

2024

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

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Objective: This exploratory analysis aims to understand conditions under which cisgender Black and Latino sexual minority men (SMM) would be willing to share potentially abusive childhood sexual experiences with health care providers. Black and Latino SMM may be overrepresented among childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors, but some abusive experiences are appraised as consensual due to cultural pressures, leading to underreporting and a delay in identification and treatment. Prior research highlights the importance of screening for sexual abuse histories in primary care and substance use treatment settings, though studies indicate that such assessments rarely occur. Method: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 61 cisgender Black and Latino SMM who reported sexual experiences in childhood that met criteria for CSA. Interviews explored men's experiences with and attitudes toward sexual history taking in diverse health care settings. Results: Most respondents felt that providers should assess sexual history and be aware of prior abuse. Barriers to disclosure included perceived provider bias and insincerity and concerns that provider characteristics (e.g., gender) might limit their ability to understand a client's experiences. Conclusions: Findings suggest that a trauma-informed approach to the assessment of sexual histories should consider that patients' current physical and mental states may be (in)directly linked to earlier, traumatic events and that intersecting identities (e.g., gender and race) could influence men's willingness to share their histories. Clinical Impact StatementThis exploratory analysis reports that cisgender Black and Latino sexual minority men with experiences of childhood sexual abuse favor health care providers asking about their sexual history. Participants also identified barriers to disclosure, such as concerns about trust and anticipated stigma, that should inform provider training and practice.

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Examining Cultural Competency and Sexual Abuse Training Needs among Service Providers Working with Black and Latino Sexual Minority Men

Cited by 2 publications

References 50 publications

Service provider interpretations of childhood sexual experiences among sexual minority men.

Service provider interpretations of childhood sexual experiences among sexual minority men.

Understanding Black and Latino sexual minority men’s perspectives on assessment of sexual history in diverse health care settings.

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