BIENESTAR is committed to enhancing knowledge to improve policy and programs through research.  BIENESTAR collaborates with other organizations, research institutions, and universities to analyze program and service data collected.  The following are a few of the current projects BIENESTAR is working on.

Law Enforcement Interactions within the Latino/a Transgender Community in Los Angeles County

BIENESTAR is examining law enforcement interactions with Latina Transgender individuals within Los Angeles County to see how factors of race, immigration status, language, social economic status play a role in harassment of the transgender community. This research will provide BIENESTAR with a better understanding of the issues surrounding law enforcement interaction to enhance community relations with Latina transgender individuals and create a sense of safety and trust within the community.  Additionally, the research may provide suggestions to increase reporting of crimes, trust and positive interactions between law enforcement and the Latina Transgender community. 

Interaction of Mental Health, Social Networks, Substance Use and Spirituality in BIENESTAR Clients’ Health

Since its inception, BIENESTAR has collected data for its various programs and services.  The data collected through each of these formats have been of tremendous benefit to the agency.  Utilizing data sets not previously analyzed, BIENESTAR will be assessing four topic areas that are of particular interest: mental health (including stress and depression), social networks (including social support), drug and alcohol use, and spirituality (including religiosity).  These four themes were selected to analyze the importance each plays in the assessment of a client’s health.  BIENESTAR will utilize this analysis to study the co-factors in HIV risk factors and transmission.

A Street-Based Pilot Study of Latino Gay and Bisexual Men

In collaboration with the Los Angeles County HIV Epidemiology Program, BIENESTAR will be conducting a pilot study of Latino Gay and Bisexual men to collect formative data for purposes of developing a community-level intervention.  Through this study, BIENESTAR will learn more about high-risk sexual behaviors among Latino Gay and Bisexual men, obtain input on the content, structure and potential efficacy of a community-level intervention, and further understand the barriers and motivations for HIV testing for Latino Gay and Bisexual men. 

Positive Coping Resources of Latina Transgender Women

In collaboration with Charles Drew University researchers, BIENESTAR will be conducting a cross-sectional study of Latina Transgender women to identify positive coping resources used by Latina transgender women and examine to what extent these may moderate the stress from “transphobia” associated with HIV-related risk behaviors, depression and substance use.  Transgender women experience much stigma and discrimination (“transphobia”) related to their transgender identity.  In addition, they have been found to engage in behaviors that place them at risk for HIV infection.  Many also report depression or engaging in substance abuse, which themselves may be associated with HIV-related risk behaviors.  Through this research, BIENESTAR will be able to develop better programs and services to address the needs of the Latina Transgender community.