Findings highlight the value of incorporating Nia as an adjunctive intervention for abused, suicidal, low-income women. They underscore the ways the intervention needs to be bolstered to address more directly more mediating and moderating constructs, as well as the need to target more effectively the key outcomes.
This study explored intervention outcomes and mechanisms that could help explain why low-income, African American women with a history of intimate partner abuse and suicide attempt improve in response to a culturally-informed intervention, the Grady Nia Project. Specifically, the investigation examined whether or not the intervention had effects on the women and whether or not spiritual well-being and coping mediated the effects of the intervention on suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, data from 89 women who completed both pre- and post-intervention assessments were analyzed. During the post-intervention follow-up, women in the active intervention group reported lower levels of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms and higher levels of existential well-being and adaptive coping skills than those women randomized to the treatment as usual group. However, only existential well-being was found to mediate treatment effects on suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. Religious well-being, as well as adaptive and maladaptive coping, did not serve a mediational function. These findings highlight the importance of designing and implementing culturally-sensitive and evidence-based strategies that enhance existential well-being in this population.
Background information is provided on the link between intimate partner violence and suicidal behavior, as this association sets the stage for interventions for this population. Attention then is paid to the theoretical components of an innovative culturally competent intervention for abused and suicidal, low-income African Editor's Note. Jean Carter served as the action editor for this article. This is one of eight accepted articles received in response to an open call for submissions on interventions for suicidal persons across the life span.-MCR.
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