Research & Interest

Dr. Marguerita Lightfoot's research specialization is in the areas of adolescents, intervention, and prevention. She has been involved in research interventions that included the recruitment and implementation of a research protocol with ethnically diverse populations of low-income women and men from health care settings, youth living with HIV, and seriously mentally ill women and men. In addition, she has worked as a Mental Health Clinician at SPECTRUM Services and Research, based at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Central Los Angeles and is eligible for psychology licensing in the state of California. She's conducted psychotherapy with predominately African American and Latino adults, couples, and families infected and/or affected by HIV. Dr. Lightfoot has successfully conducted provider training with AIDS Service Organizations and the Los Angeles Office of AIDS Programs and Policy. She is currently working on implementing interventions for mothers with AIDS and their well adolescents, computer-based interventions, and the career development of at-risk youth. She has developed cognitive behavioral interventions, including an HIV intervention protocol and program for youth living with HIV who use substances. She is experienced in the use of innovative data collection techniques from a wide range of diverse populations, both quantitative and qualitative.

Selected Publications

• Lightfoot, M., Rogers, T., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., May, S., Goldstein, R., Kirshenbaum, S., Weinhardt, L., DesJarlais, D., Johnson, M., Gore-Felton, C., Kittell, L., & Morin, S.F. (2005). Predictors of substance use frequency and reductions in seriousness of use among persons living with HIV. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 77, 129-38.
  
• Lightfoot, M., Song, J., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., & Newman, P.A. (2005). The influence of partner type and risk status on the sexual behavior of young MSM living with HIV/AIDS. JAIDS, 38, 61-8.
  
• Lightfoot, M., Swendeman, D., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Comulada, S., & Weiss, R. (2005). Risk Behaviors of Youth Living with HIV: Pre and Post HAART. American Journal Health Behavior, 29, 162-71.
  
• Lightfoot, M., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Milburn, N. & Swendemann, D. A. (2005). Prevention for HIV seropositive persons: Successive approximation towards a new identity. Behavior Modification, 29, 227-55.
  
• Lightfoot, M., & Rotheram-Borus, M. J. (2004). Predictors of Child Custody Plans for children whose Parents are living with AIDS. Social Work, 49, 461-468.
  
• Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Swendeman, D., Comulada, W. S., Weiss, R. E., Lee, M., and Lightfoot, M. (2004). Prevention for substance-using HIV-positive young people: telephone and in-person delivery. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 37, S68 - S77.
  
• Lightfoot, M. & Healy, C. (2001). Career development, coping, and emotional distress in youth living with HIV. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 4, 484-489.
  
• Lightfoot, M., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Towns, B., Cline, T. R., Webber, D., Murphy, D. A., & Tsai, L. F. (2001). Religious groups as diffusers of HIV antibody testing and prevention messages. Journal of Community Psychology, 29, 1-14.