Untitled

Abstract

Factors that may influence engagement into a family-ecological psychosocial intervention and a nondirective psychosocial intervention designed for HIV+ asymptomatic women were examined. Participants were 136 HIV+ African American women. Participant characteristics and therapeutic alliance were examined as possible predictors of engagement. Both participant characteristics and therapeutic alliance had some power in predicting engagement. However, fewer participant characteristics than expected were statistically significant. Statistically significant results indicate that women who had more daily hassles, more distress, more social support, and more disagreements with their spouse were more likely to engage in the intervention. The strongest predictor of engagement was therapeutic alliance, indicating the importance of the alliance between the HIV+ participant and the interventionist. The importance of these findings is discussed.

Finding what works: Predicting health or social service linkage in drug using, African American, female sex workers in Miami, FL

“…In the logistic regression analysis, this variable was dichotomized by the investigators as initial linkage versus no linkage. Independent variables included in the regression model were selected by the authors based on prior researchers’ findings related to barriers to seeking care for sex workers and predictors of engagement in interventions among African American women (Kurtz et al, 2005; Lazarus et al, 2012; Prado et al, 2002). Predictors that were significant in the bivariate logistic regression analyses (p<0.05) were added by the authors simultaneously to a multiple logistic regression model.…”

“…Simpson et al (1997), the therapeutic alliance (relationship between therapist/interventionist and the client) and engagement exhibit a reciprocal relationship, with both contributing to and improving outcomes. Similarly, other authors examining engagement in behavioral interventions among community-based drug users (Dembo, Gulledge, Briones Robinson, & Winters, 2011; Gardner, McLees, Steiner, del Rio, & Burman, 2011; Mallinson, Rajabiun, & Coleman, 2007; Mitrani, Feaster, Weiss-Laxer, & McCabe, 2011; Prado et al, 2002; Rajabiun et al, 2007; Rumptz et al, 2007) identified the therapeutic alliance (Prado et al, 2002) and individual characteristics such as presence of support systems, readiness to change, and higher levels of distress (Mitrani et al, 2011; Prado et al, 2002; Rajabiun et al, 2007; Rumptz et al, 2007) as key predictors of intervention engagement. Results from these researchers highlight the critical role of interventionists for engaging marginalized individuals in behavioral interventions through creating the conditions which participants see as positive for the relationship, thereby increasing engagement (Prado et al, 2002).…”

Structural Ecosystems Therapy for HIV+ African‐American Women and Drug Abuse Relapse

“…As a family-focused systemic intervention SET includes both the HIV+ woman and her family members in the intervention as well as any important persons in larger systems important to the family (such as health care providers). Eight therapy sessions were considered a minimum dosage of therapy (Mitrani, Prado, Feaster, Robinson-Batista, & Szapocznik, 2002); therapy and/or booster sessions could continue up to 9 months, if necessary.…”

“…SET uses the principles and strategies of its therapeutic approach to maximize engagement into therapy (Prado et al, 2002). This involves assessing and targeting the barriers to participation for both the woman and her family members, including direct outreach to family members.…”

“…Two sessions is the minimum for engagement because returning to the second session is an indication that the therapist truly engaged the individual/family into treatment (Prado, et al 2002). …”