Feasibility of a computer-assisted social network motivational interviewing intervention for substance use and HIV risk behaviors for housing first residents

Abstract

BackgroundSocial networks play positive and negative roles in the lives of homeless people influencing their alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) and HIV risk behaviors.MethodsWe developed a four-session computer-assisted social network motivational interviewing intervention for homeless adults transitioning into housing. We examined the acceptability of the intervention among staff and residents at an organization that provides permanent supportive housing through iterative rounds of beta testing. Staff were 3 men and 3 women who were residential support staff (i.e., case managers and administrators). Residents were 8 men (7 African American, 1 Hispanic) and 3 women (2 African American, 1 Hispanic) who had histories of AOD and HIV risk behaviors. We conducted a focus group with staff who gave input on how to improve the delivery of the intervention to enhance understanding and receptivity among new residents. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews and collected self-report satisfaction data from residents.ResultsThree themes emerged over the course of the resident interviews. Residents reported that the intervention was helpful in discussing their social network, that seeing the visualizations was more impactful than just talking about their network, and that the intervention prompted thoughts about changing their AOD use and HIV risk networks.ConclusionsThis study is the first of its kind that has developed, with input from Housing First staff and residents, a motivational interviewing intervention that targets both the structure and composition of one’s social network. These results suggest that providing visual network feedback with a guided motivational interviewing discussion is a promising approach to supporting network change.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02140359

Project nGage: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Dyadic Network Support Intervention to Retain Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in HIV Care

“…For example, concerns over whether SCs could be identified were unfounded, as less than 2% of participants were unable to identify an SC. We attribute the success of the SC selection procedure, in part, to the process of network visualization and the value of reflection in bolstering beneficial support networks (59, 60). By starting with a blank table, the Index was given opportunity to conceive of all possible SC options.…”

A pilot test of a motivational interviewing social network intervention to reduce substance use among housing first residents

“…Our initial design was to conduct the entire pilot test with SRHT residents. We designed the pilot test collaboratively with SRHT staff to meet the needs of their program (Kennedy et al, 2016) and conducted beta tests with SRHT residents (Osilla et al, 2016). SRHT residents were recruited between May 2015 and August 2016, with data collection completed in Fall 2016.…”

“…Also, most network based health interventions target defined social groups rather than the personal networks of individuals who are transitioning from one social environment to another (Valente, 2012). Personal networks refer to the network of contacts most closely tied to a focal individual (Chung et al, 2015; Domínguez & Hollstein, 2014; McCarty, 2002) and can be visualized with intuitive diagrams (Eddens, Fagan, & Collins, 2017; Kennedy, Green, McCarty, & Tucker, 2011; Kennedy et al, 2016; Osilla, Kennedy, Hunter, & Maksabedian, 2016; Tubaro, Ryan, & D’Angelo, 2016). Personal network visualizations can be presented in different ways to highlight different network characteristics.…”

“…Network visualizations based on responses to a personal network interview can provide individualized feedback to HF residents as they transition from homelessness to living in HF settings. HF residents who have been shown visualizations of their personal networks found them easy to understand, relevant for better understanding their social environments, and potentially useful for making changes in their AOD use and network interactions that influence AOD use (Osilla et al, 2016).…”

“…Beta tests that coupled network visualizations with MI for HF residents provided evidence that this intervention approach was feasible and acceptable by residents and staff (Osilla et al, 2016). Residents who tested the intervention reacted positively to the experience, reporting that the intervention helped them understand and discuss their social networks better than just having a conversation with a case manager.…”