Theory, Measurement and Hard Times: Some Issues for HIV/AIDS Research

Authors

Samuel R. Friedman, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.Follow
Milagros Sandoval, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
Pedro Mateu-Gelabert, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
Diana Rossi, University of Buenos Aires
Marya Gwadz, New York University
Kirk Dombrowski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Pavlo Smyrnov, International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine
Tetyana Basylyeva, SUNY-Albany
Enrique R. Pouget, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
David Perlman, Beth Israel Medical Center

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Published in AIDS and Behavior 17 (2013), pp. 1915–1925. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0475-3

Comments

Copyright © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York. Used by permission.

Abstract

Economic and political instability and related “big events” are widespread throughout the globe. Although they sometimes lead to epidemic HIV outbreaks, sometimes they do not—and we do not understand why. Current behavioural theories do not adequately address these processes, and thus cannot provide optimal guidance for effective intervention. Based in part on a critique of our prior “pathways” model of big events, we suggest that cultural–historical activity theory (CHAT) may provide a useful framework for HIV research in this area. Using CHAT concepts, we also suggest a number of areas in which new measures should be developed to make such research possible.