This paper describes a six-week group intervention designed to reduce sexual risk behavior and increase safer sex behavior among battered women. A total of 125 battered women residing in domestic violence shelters participated in this NIMH funded research. The intervention development had both a qualitative and quantitative phase. Qualitative interviews were used to identify the key issues and concerns confronting battered women as they entered into new sexual relationships. A second focus of the qualitative phase was to identify culturally influenced preferences for empowerment strategies. Based on this foundation research, a 6-week cognitive behavioral intervention protocol was developed. The protocol focuses on (a) a stress management empowerment program (i.e., getting job ready, dealing with Housing authorities to find an apartment, finding respite, dealing with child behavior problems, relaxation techniques), (b) finding a reason to protect yourself, (c) staying safe physically, emotionally, and from disease, (d) HIV risk behavior and sexual decision making. This study is one of the few that focuses on at-risk battered women in the shelter system. In many cases, the women are at a critical point of transition in their lives interested in and ready to make change in their personal lives. This paper will describe the intervention development and present preliminary effectiveness data. The implications for HIV prevention with domestic violence shelter populations will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: a) identify critical contextual variables that impede HIV risk reduction efforts among battered women b) articulate how stress management techniques may be applied to enhance HIV safer sex behavior c) describe a stress management approach to HIV risk reduction among battered women
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Domestic Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.