Violeta J Rodríguez

Biographic Data

ID	321963
NAME	Violeta J Rodríguez
GIVEN NAMES	Violeta J
FAMILY NAME	Rodríguez
SIGNATURE	RODRIGUEZ V J
AFFILIATIONS	University of Miami
ORCID	0000-0001-8543-2061
VERIFIED	Yes
TOTAL WORKS	55
TOTAL CITATIONS	15
AUTHOR COUNT	55
EDITOR COUNT	0
FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR	2012
LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR	2026
H-INDEX	2

Racial Identity and Racial Socialization
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, S Adams et al.ARTICLEJournal of Black Studies2026
The COVID-19 pandemic, alongside the heightened racialized sociopolitical unrest following the murder of George Floyd, intensified longstanding structural racism, exacerbating racial stress, and trauma among Black youth. This scoping review synthesizes recent literature on culturally relevant interventions developed or implemented since the pandemic’s onset to address these challenges. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Academ…
Rethinking parenting
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Sungha Kang et al.ARTICLEDevelopmental Psychology2026
Traditional parenting research has relied on typological models that categorize behaviors into rigid styles (e.g., authoritative and permissive), often neglecting the intentions and contextual factors that give meaning to caregiving. These models, based on samples lacking diversity, have contributed to measurement challenges, cultural misinterpretations, and deficit-based portrayals of marginalized families. In this article, we introduce a functi…
Parental depressive symptoms and child psychopathology
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Miriam Zegarac et al.ARTICLEFamily Relations2025
Parent discrimination clusters and pediatric health in a national survey
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Dominique L La BarrieARTICLESSM - Population Health2025
The study uses unsupervised machine learning to identify discrimination clusters in parents.•Four distinct clusters of parental discrimination were identified using machine learning.•Parental discrimination clusters are associated with poorer pediatric health outcomes.•Positive parenting may mitigate the negative effects of parent discrimination on child health.•Negative parenting may exacerbate the health risks associated with parental discrimin…
Emotional and psychological well-being in early adolescence
Open AccessAsgar Alimohamadi, Karim Abdolmohamadi et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2025
Based on these results, the construct validity and reliability of the SCWBS are initially supported as a measurement instrument to assess the psychological well-being of Iranian adolescents
Navigating Academic Brokering
Open AccessAmanda Perozo Garcia, Michelle Salazar Pérez et al.ARTICLEDevelopmental Psychobiology2025References: 52
As more psychologists engage with marginalized communities for research, the lack of diversity in the academic workforce and inadequate cultural sensitivity training often leads to relying on trainees from underrepresented communities to bridge these gaps—a phenomenon we term “academic brokering.” Academic brokering disproportionately burdens underrepresented trainees, tasking them with facilitating their mentors’ research by serving as intermedi…
Disentangling the Heterogeneity in Minority Stress
Open AccessQimin Liu, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEArchives of Sexual Behavior2025References: 51
Mixture model applications in depression phenotyping
Open AccessQimin Liu, Meng Qiu et al.ARTICLECurrent Psychology2024
Dissemination and implementation of an evidence-based voluntary medical male circumcision program
Open AccessStephen M Wei, Stephen M Weiss et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2024
Despite compelling evidence linking voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) with 60–70% HIV risk reduction in sub-Saharan Africa, Zambian men have been especially reluctant to undergo VMMC. The Government of Zambia set targets for VMMC uptake and promoted community-level interventions. Spear & Shield (S&S) is an innovative, evidence-based, service program promoting VMMC uptake while ensuring both VMMC supply and demand. This study assessed the…
Factors influencing neonatal male circumcision uptake among expecting couples in Zambia
Oliver Mweemba, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2024
Male circumcision is a protective HIV prevention strategy. However, uncircumcised Zambian men are reluctant to undergo voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). Tailored interventions are necessary to stimulate the uptake of early infant male circumcision (EIMC) and VMMC in Zambia. This feasibility study presents the formative process of utilising the PRECEDE framework in the development of a family-centred EIMC/VMMC intervention, Like Father L…
Early Infant Male Circumcision Decisions in Zambia
Open AccessKaylin M Yudice, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2024
Public health initiatives in Zambia encourage the uptake of early infant male circumcision (EIMC) as an HIV prevention strategy. This study assessed EIMC parental decision-making during perinatal care in Lusaka, Zambia, focusing on the influence of sociodemographic factors, family, and friends. A longitudinal pilot perinatal intervention, Like Father Like Son (LFLS), was implemented among 300 couples attending antenatal clinics in four urban comm…
Assessing Intravaginal Practices in HIV Prevention Research
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Ana S Salazar et al.ARTICLEArchives of Sexual Behavior2023
Mixed-methods cross-sectional study of the prevention of vertical HIV transmission program users unaware of male partner’s HIV status, in six South African districts with a high antenatal HIV burden
Open AccessTshiamo M Mmotsa, Vuyolwethu Magasana et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2023
User-informed interventions to address MPHIVs non-disclosure amongst women of child-bearing age, particularly those at risk of unstable sexual partners and unplanned pregnancies, should be strengthened
Zambian Parents’ Perspectives on Early-Infant Versus Early-Adolescent Male Circumcision
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Stephen M Wei et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2023
Attribution for everyday discrimination typologies and mortality risk among older black adults
Open AccessR J Cobb, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLESocial Science & Medicine2023Cited by: 8References: 35
Psychological and physical intimate partner violence and sexual risk behavior among South African couples
Karl Peltzer, John M Abbamonte et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2022
This study aimed to examine intimate partner violence (IPV) as it relates to both partners’ perceptions of IPV and sexual behaviors, considering how their IPV might be interdependent within the relationship dynamics. The sample consisted of 713 female–male dyads in which women were pregnant and living with HIV in rural South Africa. Using an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), we examined the interdependent influence of psychological and …
Differential Item Functioning
Open AccessMarissa A Gogniat, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLESAGE Open2022
Understanding sex differences when assessing personality in older adults is important for researchers and clinicians. The current study utilized differential item functioning (DIF) to compare male and female older adults’ responses on the NEO-FFI to detect potential sources of measurement bias. Participants included 244 older adults (98 males, 146 females, mean age = 73). DIF by sex was determined using ordinal logistic regression and item respon…
Factor Structure and Differential Item Functioning of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Lissa N Mandell et al.ARTICLEMaternal and Child Health Journal2022
A Syndemic Approach to Explore Factors Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis
Open AccessAna S Salazar, Nicholas Fonseca Nogueira et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2022
Measurement Invariance in the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire
Open AccessAnne Shaffer, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEJournal of Family Issues2022Cited by: 1References: 39
Questions persist in the parenting literature regarding how best to define positive and negative parenting behaviors. Are there optimal parenting behaviors shared by mothers and fathers, or among different racial and ethnic groups? This study draws from a nationally representative sample of US parents of school-age children, testing aspects of measurement invariance in the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) full and short forms. Our goal was t…
The contribution of syndemic conditions to cardiovascular disease risk
Violeta J Rodríguez, Antonio Chahine et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2021
The syndemic conditions of low education, childhood maltreatment, depression, HIV, alcohol and cocaine use, and obesity have been established as independent risk factors for cardiovascular risk, but research examining the association between syndemic conditions and cardiovascular risk in high-risk populations is lacking. A total of N = 503 participants underwent an ultrasound of the carotid artery to assess for atherosclerotic plaque. Participant…
Maternal Health Outcomes and Male Partner Involvement Among HIV Infected Women in Rural South Africa
Open AccessGladys Matseke, Robert A C Ruiter et al.ARTICLEMaternal and Child Health Journal2021
Psychometric Properties of a Vaccine Hesitancy Scale Adapted for Covid-19 Vaccination Among People with HIV
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Maria L Alcaide et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2021
Blood Pressure, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation Among Pregnant Women with HIV
Open AccessLissa N Mandell, Manasi Soni Parrish et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2021
Mental Health, Coping, and Social Support Among People Living with HIV in the Americas
Open AccessDiana L Jones, Deborah L Jones et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2021

Attribution for everyday discrimination typologies and mortality risk among older black adults
Open AccessR J Cobb, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLESocial Science & Medicine2023Cited by: 8References: 35
Effect of a multicomponent behavioural PMTCT cluster randomised controlled trial on HIV stigma reduction among perinatal HIV positive women in Mpumalanga province, South Africa
Open AccessKarl Peltzer, Suat Babayigit et al.ARTICLESAHARA-J Journal of Social…2018Cited by: 2References: 25
BACKGROUND: We evaluate the impact a multicomponent, behavioural, prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), cluster randomised controlled trial on HIV stigma reduction among perinatal HIV infected women in rural South Africa. METHODS: In a cluster randomised controlled trial, twelve community health centres (CHCs) in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, were randomised; pregnant women living with HIV enrolled received either: A Standard C…
The Achilles' heel of prevention to mother-to-child transmission of HIV
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Richard P Lacabe et al.ARTICLESAHARA-J Journal of Social…2017Cited by: 2References: 22
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS proposed to reduce the vertical transmission of HIV from ∼72,200 to ∼8300 newly infected children by 2015 in South Africa (SA). However, cultural, infrastructural, and socio-economic barriers hinder the implementation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) protocol, and research on potential solutions to address these barriers in rural areas is particularly limited. This study …
Measurement Invariance in the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire
Open AccessAnne Shaffer, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEJournal of Family Issues2022Cited by: 1References: 39
Questions persist in the parenting literature regarding how best to define positive and negative parenting behaviors. Are there optimal parenting behaviors shared by mothers and fathers, or among different racial and ethnic groups? This study draws from a nationally representative sample of US parents of school-age children, testing aspects of measurement invariance in the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) full and short forms. Our goal was t…
Prenatal and Postnatal Intimate Partner Violence and Associated Factors Among HIV-Infected Women in Rural South Africa
Open AccessGladys Matseke, Robert A C Ruiter et al.ARTICLEViolence Against Women2021Cited by: 1References: 4
Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been highlighted as one of the challenges to the effectiveness of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programs in rural areas in South Africa. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of prenatal and postnatal physical as well as psychological IPV, and corresponding time-invariant and time-varying predictors, among HIV-positive women attending PMTCT services in rural South Africa. …
Psychological and Physical Intimate Partner Violence and Maternal Depressive Symptoms during the Pre- and Post-Partum Period among Women Living with HIV in Rural South Africa
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Anne Shaffer et al.ARTICLEJournal of Family Violence2018Cited by: 1References: 5

Should We Look for Strongyloides Stercoralis in Foreign-Born HIV-Infected Persons
Open AccessJara Llenas‐García, Silvana Fiorante et al.ARTICLEJournal of Immigrant and Minority…2012
Intimate partner violence among HIV positive pregnant women in South Africa
Gladys Matseke, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEJournal of Psychology in Africa2016
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and associated factors among pregnant HIV-infected women in primary health care facilities in Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Participants were 673 women who were, on average, 28.39 ± 5.73 years old. Data were collected through Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI), and analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Soci…
Prevalence of prenatal depression and associated factors among HIV-positive women in primary care in Mpumalanga province, South Africa
Open AccessKarl Peltzer, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLESAHARA-J Journal of Social…2016References: 36
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressed symptoms and associated factors in prenatal HIV-positive women in primary care facilities in rural South Africa. In a cross-sectional study, 663 HIV-positive prenatal women in 12 community health centres in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, were recruited by systematic sampling (every consecutive patient after HIV post-test counselling). Results indicate that overall, 48.7% [95% CI: 44.8, 52…
Behaviorally and perinatally HIV-infected young women
Marisa Echenique, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2017
This study aimed to describe demographic and psychological characteristics among HIV-infected young women, and to identify knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with conception, with the goal of informing interventions or programmatic decisions regarding preconception counseling methods for young women living with HIV. Behaviorally and perinatally HIV-infected young women (n = 34) were conveniently sampled in Miami, Florida. Participants…
Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of suicidal ideation among pregnant women living with HIV in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Violeta J Rodríguez, Ryan Cook et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2017
Pregnant women living with HIV (WLHIV) in South Africa (SA) report higher rates of suicidal ideation than those who are HIV uninfected, and antenatal suicidal ideation has been previously associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Few studies have attempted to identify correlates and psychosocial predictors of suicidal ideation in this population. In this study, we sought to estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for su…
Factors Associated with Male Partner Involvement in Programs for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Rural South Africa
Open AccessGladys Matseke, Motlagabo G Matseke et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2017
Male partner involvement (MPI) can contribute to the success of programs aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. However, the definition and measures of MPI differ according to context. This study utilized secondary cross-sectional data to investigate the prevalence and determinants of MPI among 463 male partners of HIV-infected pregnant women in rural South Africa. Results indicated that 44.1% of male partners reported i…
Infant Development and Pre- and Post-partum Depression in Rural South African HIV-Infected Women
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Gladys Matseke et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2017
Self-Report and Dry Blood Spot Measurement of Antiretroviral Medications as Markers of Adherence in Pregnant Women in Rural South Africa
Open AccessMaria L Alcaide, Shandir Ramlagan et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2017
The Achilles' heel of prevention to mother-to-child transmission of HIV
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Richard P Lacabe et al.ARTICLESAHARA-J Journal of Social…2017Cited by: 2References: 22
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS proposed to reduce the vertical transmission of HIV from ∼72,200 to ∼8300 newly infected children by 2015 in South Africa (SA). However, cultural, infrastructural, and socio-economic barriers hinder the implementation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) protocol, and research on potential solutions to address these barriers in rural areas is particularly limited. This study …
Determinants of disclosure and non-disclosure of HIV-positive status, by pregnant women in rural South Africa
Open AccessShandir Ramlagan, Gladys Matseke et al.ARTICLESAHARA-J Journal of Social…2018
Disclosure of HIV status remains one of the major challenges to the effectiveness of the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in rural areas in South Africa. This study aimed at assessing the determinants of HIV status disclosure among HIV infected pregnant women who have disclosed their HIV status to someone, as well as among those who have disclosed to their partners. Cross-sectional data was collected from 673 HIV sero-positive pr…
HIV knowledge and risk among Zambian adolescent and younger adolescent girls
Stefani A Butts, Stefani Butts et al.ARTICLESex Education2018
In sub-Saharan Africa, young women are at the highest risk of HIV infection. Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and open parent-child communication about sex have been shown mitigate risky sexual practices associated with HIV. This study aimed to identify sources of HIV prevention knowledge among young women aged 10-14 years and community-based strategies to enhance HIV prevention in Zambia. Focus group discussions were conducted with 114 yo…
Prevalence of prenatal and postpartum depression and associated factors among HIV-infected women in public primary care in rural South Africa
Karl Peltzer, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2018
This study aimed to assess the longitudinal prevalence of prenatal and postnatal depression and associated factors among HIV-infected women in rural South Africa. In a longitudinal, cluster-randomized, prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) intervention trial, 681 HIV-infected prenatal women in 12 community health centres in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, were recruited in 2015 by consecutive sampling at 8-24 weeks pregnancy and f…
Suicidality among nonadherent patients living with HIV in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Violeta J Rodríguez, Omar Sued et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2018
Of those in the general population hospitalized for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in Argentina, many reattempt suicide and are readmitted. However, few studies in Argentina have examined suicidal ideation and suicide-related behaviors among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and none have examined these factors among nonadherent PLHIV, though the prevalence of suicidal ideation in this group may be higher than in the general population and a…
Sexual risk behaviour among HIV-infected women in the first twelve months after delivery in South Africa
Karl Peltzer, Geoffrey Setswe et al.ARTICLEJournal of Psychology in Africa2018
This study aimed to assess sexual risk behaviour and its social correlates in HIV-infected women living in rural South Africa at six and twelve months post-partum. Participants were 699 HIV-positive women recruited prenatally by systematic sampling from twelve community health centres in Mpumalanga province, South Africa (mean age = 28.4 years, SD = 5.7; married =41.1%; serodiscordant or unknown partner status = 74.9%). They self-reported on thei…
Correlates of Suicidal Ideation During Pregnancy and Postpartum Among Women Living with HIV in Rural South Africa
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Lissa N Mandell et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2018
The Use of Efavirenz During Pregnancy is Associated with Suicidal Ideation in Postpartum Women in Rural South Africa
Open AccessStephen M Wei, Deborah L Jones et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2018
A Bayesian Analysis of Prenatal Maternal Factors Predicting Nonadherence to Infant HIV Medication in South Africa
Open AccessRyan Cook, Karl Peltzer et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2018
Influences on Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Rural HIV-Infected South African Women
Open AccessStephen M Wei, Diana L Jones et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2018
Psychological and Physical Intimate Partner Violence and Maternal Depressive Symptoms during the Pre- and Post-Partum Period among Women Living with HIV in Rural South Africa
Open AccessVioleta J Rodríguez, Anne Shaffer et al.ARTICLEJournal of Family Violence2018Cited by: 1References: 5
Effect of a multicomponent behavioural PMTCT cluster randomised controlled trial on HIV stigma reduction among perinatal HIV positive women in Mpumalanga province, South Africa
Open AccessKarl Peltzer, Suat Babayigit et al.ARTICLESAHARA-J Journal of Social…2018Cited by: 2References: 25
BACKGROUND: We evaluate the impact a multicomponent, behavioural, prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), cluster randomised controlled trial on HIV stigma reduction among perinatal HIV infected women in rural South Africa. METHODS: In a cluster randomised controlled trial, twelve community health centres (CHCs) in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, were randomised; pregnant women living with HIV enrolled received either: A Standard C…
Sexual risk behavior among HIV-infected women in South Africa at 12-months postpartum
Diana L Jones, Deborah L Jones et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2019
The postnatal period is a time of increased susceptibility to HIV infection and superinfection for postpartum women, sexual partners, and infants. This study examined the effect of a prevention to mother-to-child transmission of HIV intervention compared to standard care, and factors associated with unprotected last sex and inconsistent condom use at 12-months postpartum. Participants were N = 1399 HIV-infected women 6–30 weeks pregnant (M = 18 w…
Suicidal Ideation Among Adults Re-engaging in HIV Care in Argentina
Open AccessCOPA Study Group, Lissa N Mandell et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2019
Self-Reported Long-Term Antiretroviral Adherence
Open AccessShandir Ramlagan, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2019
We evaluate the impact of a multi-session cognitive behavioral prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) intervention on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. A total of 683 women were enrolled into a randomized control trial conducted at twelve community health centres (CHCs) in Mpumalanga Province. Participants were randomized to Standard Care or Enhanced PMTCT Intervention (EI). EI received three group and three individual intervent…
HIV and carotid atherosclerosis
Maria L Alcaide, Violeta J Rodríguez et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2020
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US and is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality for people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined the association between HIV infection, cocaine usage, and inflammatory markers, and their combined association with carotid atherosclerosis among young and middle-aged adults with HIV. Participants (N = 494) were enrolled based on HIV status and cocaine use. Blood p…
Factor structure of a male involvement index to increase the effectiveness of prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programs
Violeta J Rodríguez, Manasi Soni Parrish et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2020
Male involvement in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) during pregnancy is encouraged, but the accuracy of its measurement has not been established. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to establish the factor structure of an index of male involvement in PMTCT. Using a structured questionnaire, 1369 HIV positive pregnant women and 522 male partners were recruited in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. A principal c…