ISAP Researchers' Profiles

Cathy J. Reback, Ph.D.

Cathy J. Reback is a Research Sociologist with UCLA ISAP, a Senior Research Scientist with Friends Research Institute, Inc. and a Core Scientist with the UCLA Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services (UCLA CHIPTS). Dr. Reback’s research focuses on the intersection of health disparities and HIV risk behaviors among sexual minority and gender minority status individuals.

Currently, Dr. Reback is Principal Investigator of a NIDA-funded study to evaluate differential immediate and sustained effects, and cost effectiveness, of transmitting theory-based text messages by peer health educators, versus by automation, compared to an assessment-only control condition among out-of-treatment, methamphetamine-using MSM for reductions of methamphetamine use and HIV sexual risk behaviors; a NIDA-funded study to develop a methamphetamine-abuse treatment intervention cross-platform computerized mobile app for MSM to reduce their methamphetamine use and HIV sexual risk behaviors, and to increase ART medication adherence; a NIDA-funded study to develop an iPad application to assess the social networks, HIV risk and protective behaviors, and technology use of transgender women; a HRSA-funded project to evaluate a multi-tiered model, integrating network (Social Network Recruitment), individual (Peer Health Navigation) and structural (Contingency Management) components to identify, recruit, test, link, treat and retain HIV-infected transgender women of color into HIV care; and, a HRSA-funded project to evaluation theory-based text messaging intervention to improve engagement, retention, and health outcomes along the HIV Care Continuum, with the desired outcome of viroligical suppression, among young (ages 18-34) HIV-infected transgender women. Additionally, Dr. Reback currently serves as the Director of six County-funded contracts for high-risk MSM substance users and transgender women and two City-funded contracts.

Dr. Reback has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on technology-based and mHealth interventions, behavioral and biomedical interventions, ethnographic, and epidemiological studies funded by NIDA, NIMH, HRSA, CDC, CSAT, CHRP and California State Office of AIDS. Dr. Reback’s community and policy work includes current and past membership on numerous local and national HIV/AIDS and substance abuse task forces and advisory committees.

Education and Training

University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., 1980, Sociology
University of California, Santa Cruz, M.A., 1982, Sociology
University of California, Santa Cruz, Ph.D., 1986, Sociology

Specialties

HIV/AIDS
Methamphetamine Abuse among Gay and Bisexual Males
HIV and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Interventions
High-risk Male-to-Female Transgender Women
Research and Community Collaborations

Contact Info

Friends Research Institute, Inc.
1419 N. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Selected Publications

Reback, C.J., Fletcher, J.B., Shoptaw, S. & Mansergh, G. (2015). Exposure to Theory-driven Text Messages is Associated with HIV Risk Reduction among Methamphetamine-using Men who have Sex with Men. AIDS & Behavior. 19:S130-S141. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-014-0985-7.
Reback, C.J., Kaplan, R.L., & Larkins, S. (2015). Disclosure of Male Sexual Partnering and HIV Serostatus among a Sample of Heterosexually Identified Men who Have Sex with Men and Women. AIDS Education and Prevention. 27(3):227-239.
Fletcher, J.B., Shoptaw, S., Peck, J.A, & Reback, C.J. (2014). Contingency Management Reduces Psychological and Emotional Distress among Homeless, Substance-dependent MSM. Mental Health and Substance Use. 7(4): 420-430. DOI: 10.1080/17523281.2014.892897

Reback, C.J. Fletcher, J.B. (2014). Reductions in HIV Prevalence Rates among Substance-using Men Who Have Sex with Men in Los Angeles County, 2008-2011. AIDS Education and Prevention. 26(5): 459-470.
Reback, C.J., Veniegas, R., & Shoptaw, S. (2014). Getting Off: The Development of a Model Program for Gay and Bisexual Male Methamphetamine Users. Journal of Homosexuality. 61: 540-554. DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2014.865459
Reback, C.J. Fletcher, J.B. (2014). HIV Prevalence, Substance Use, and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Transgender Women Recruited Through Outreach. AIDS and Behavior. 18(7): 1359-1367. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0657-z
Reback, C.J., & Shoptaw, S. (2014). Development of an Evidence-based, Gay-specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Methamphetamine-abusing Gay and Bisexual Men. Addictive Behaviors. 39(8): 1286-1291. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.11.029.
Reback, C.J., Fletcher, J.B., Shoptaw, S., Grella C.E. (2013). Methamphetamine Use Trends among Street-Recruited Gay and Bisexual Males, From 2008 through 2011. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 133: 262-265. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.06.007
Reback, C.J., & Larkins, S. (2013). HIV Risk Behaviors among a Sample of Heterosexually Identified Men who Occasionally have Sex with Another Male and/or a Transwoman. Journal of Sex Research. 50(2): 151-163. doi 10.1080/00224499.2011.632101
Reback, C.J., Grant, D.L., Fletcher, J.B., Branson, C.M., Shoptaw, S., Bowers, J.R., Charania, M., & Mansergh, G. (2012). Text Messaging Reduces HIV Risk Behaviors among Methamphetamine-using Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS and Behavior. 16(7): 1993-2002. doi 10.1007/s10461-012-0200-7.
Reback, C.J., Peck, J.A., Fletcher, J., Numo, M., & Dierst-Davies, R. (2012). Lifetime Substance Use and HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Predict Treatment Response to Contingency Management among Homeless, Substance-dependent Men who Have Sex with Men. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 44(2): 166-172.
Reback, C.J., & Shoptaw, S. (2011). Development of an Evidence-based, Gay-specific Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Methamphetamine-abusing Gay and Bisexual Men. Addictive Behaviors. doi 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.11.029.
Reback, C.J., Peck, J.A., Dierst-Davies, R, Nuno, M., Kamien, J.B., & Amass, A. (2010). Contingency Management among Homeless, Out-of-Treatment Men who Have Sex with Men. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 39(3): 255-63. PMCID: PMC2937073, NIHMSID: NIHMS218162
Reback, C.J. & Larkins, S. (2010). Maintaining a Heterosexual Identity: Sexual Meanings among a Sample of Heterosexually Identified Men who have Sex with Men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(3): 766-773.
Reback, C.J., Shoptaw, S. & Grella, C.E. (2008). Methamphetamine Use Trends among Street-recruited Gay and Bisexual Males, from 1999 to 2007. Journal of Urban Health, 85(6): 874-879. PMCID: PMC2587649

Last updated - 02/22/2016

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