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Parent-adolescent discrepancies in family functioning play an important role in HIV risk behaviors among adolescents, yet longitudinal research with recent immigrant Hispanic families remains limited. This study tested the effects of trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning discrepancies on HIV risk behaviors among recent-immigrant Hispanic adolescents. Additionally, we examined whether and to what extent trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning discrepancies vary as a function of gender. We assessed family functioning of 302 Hispanic adolescents (47 % female) and their parent (70 % female) at six time points over a three-year period and computed latent discrepancy scores between parent and adolescent reports at each timepoint. Additionally, adolescents completed measures of sexual risk behaviors and alcohol use. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to determine the feasibility of collapsing parent and adolescent reported family functioning indicators onto a single latent discrepancy variable, tested model invariance over time, and conducted growth mixture modeling (GMM). GMM yielded a three-class solution for discrepancies: High- Increasing, High- Stable, and Low- Stable. Relative to the Low- Stable class, parent-adolescent dyads in the High- Increasing and High- Stable classes were at greater risk for adolescents reporting sexual debut at time 6. Additionally, the High- Stable class was at greater risk, relative to the Low- Stable class, in terms of adolescent lifetime alcohol use at 30 months post-baseline. Multiple group GMM indicated that trajectories of parent-adolescent family functioning trajectories did not vary by gender. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As human–black bear conflicts increase, developing conflict mitigation strategies that account for both biological and social understanding has become a primary objective of managers. We examined black bear habitat use in the Florida Panhandle to understand its impact on the spatial distribution of conflicts. Focus groups were conducted with local residents and wildlife professionals to obtain participants' beliefs, attitudes, and preferences toward bears and conflict management approaches. Findings suggest bears prefer using areas located closer to humans and that while participants generally supported the regional presence of bears there was no consensus on how to manage human–bear conflicts. Several habitat and human management implications were identified along with suggestions for additional research. Improving biological and social understanding on the causes of human–black bear conflicts and the efficacy of various mitigation strategies can advance collaboration between the public and wildlife professionals and facilitate agreement on socially acceptable conflict management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]