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. 2023 Aug 25;20(17):6649.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20176649.

Exploring the Impact of an Integrated Trauma-Informed HIV and Vocational Intervention for Black/African American Women Living with HIV

Hsiao-Ying Chang  1 , Vanessa Johnson  2 , Liza Marie Conyers  3
Affiliations

Exploring the Impact of an Integrated Trauma-Informed HIV and Vocational Intervention for Black/African American Women Living with HIV

Hsiao-Ying Chang et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Given the increased recognition of the role of social determinants of health on the prevalence of HIV in the United States, interventions that incorporate and address social determinants of HIV are essential. In response to the health disparities facing Black/African American women living with HIV, HIV activists and mental health specialists developed an innovative integrated HIV prevention and vocational development intervention, Common Threads, that underscores and addresses key economic and other social determinants of health experienced by Black/African American women within a trauma-informed care (TIC) framework. This research study applied grounded theory methods to conduct a qualitative study of Common Threads based on interviews with 21 women who participated in the Common Threads intervention. Participants shared several critical aspects of program components that reflected the TIC principles, endorsing a safe environment, trust building, and a sense of belonging. These components also encouraged transparency and promoted autonomy. Additionally, participants shared perceived program outcomes, including changes of knowledge and skills in four considering work domains (i.e., medical, psychosocial financial/legal resources, and vocational) that facilitate health and vocational development.

Keywords: Black/African American women; HIV and vocational intervention; trauma informed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors Hsiao-Ying Chang and Liza Marie Conyers declare that they have no conflict of interest. Vanessa Johnson is an employee at Ribbon as a Co-Executive Director.

References

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