The research investigated factors associated with attrition in a 12-session group therapy intervention to assist HIV-positive persons in coping with the death of a loved one due to AIDS. An ethnically diverse (54% African-American, 26% Caucasian, 16% Hispanic, and 4 % other ethnicity) sample of 101 men and 58 women were randomly assigned to receive the treatment. The analysis compared 69 subjects who completed the intervention with 37 program dropouts and 53 persons who did not attend the group therapy sessions (“refusers”). Predictors tested included participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and physical health status; contextual factors related to their bereavement; psychiatric screening diagnoses; prior utilization of treatment services for mental health and/or substance abuse; and psychosocial measures of grief reaction, traumatic stress, social support, functional well-being, and coping. Results from multinomial logistic regression indicated that different background and co-morbidity factors were associated with either initial treatment refusal or subsequent program dropout. Refusers were significantly less likely to have lost a spouse or lover, and more likely to be male, have higher incomes, and higher anxiety levels than either completers or dropouts. Compared with program completers, refusers were younger and manifested symptoms of alcohol addiction. Dropouts were also younger than completers, and were more severely depressed than either completers or refusers. Study findings suggest the possibility of developing profiles for individual participants at risk for early attrition from group interventions, and then providing these clients with appropriate support and/or treatment, in order to maximize their retention in longer-term therapy.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to identify factors associated with various levels of non-participation in group therapy interventions for AIDS-related bereavement, as well as be able to discuss stategies for utilizing this knowledge to minimize program attrition
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Adherence
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.