Larry M. Gant, CSW, PhD, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-763-5990, Lmgant@umich.edu and Deborah Ann Brodie, PhD, Deborah Ann Brodie, Ph.D. PC, Deborah Ann Brodie, Ph.D. PC, 3011 West Grand Blvd, Ste. 418, Detroit, MI 48202.

African American women are more likely than any other ethnic group of women to have AIDS or be infected with HIV. Despite successes of gender contextualized social cognitive interventions, African-American women experience challenges in negotiating relationships and condom use. African-American women corroborate increases in negotiating relationships in more gregarious social structures, e.g., nightclubs and bars. Negotiations of intimate behavior in such contexts are mediated by experiences of increased stress, anxiety and depression, as efforts to negotiate safer sex erode the use of internal self-talk strategies upon encountering other women (in close spatial proximity) offering unprotected sex to males. Learning to reduce stress may decrease anxiety and depression, enhance critical thinking, and lead to fewer engagements in risky behavior and more engagements in safer sex behaviors including abstinence.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) demonstrates reductions in physical and psychological stress in many populations. We compared the stress reduction effects of MBSR, a less structured intervention (e.g. learning to sit quietly and breathe deeply), and a placebo condition.

Using a stratified randomization procedure (personal agency, sexual relationship power, perceived HIV risk, CIDI scores), 100 African-American female college students were randomized to the three intervention conditions (MBSR, quiet sitting, and wait list placebo). Data was collected from students during initial assessment and at three and six month follow-up assessments.

Mixed-effects regression analysis yielded significant reductions in depression and anxiety among MBSR participants, more modest reductions among quiet sitters, and no changes among controls. We discuss implications for future interventions and research.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to

• Assess the strengths and limitations of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction as an intervention strategy with African-American young women.
• Articulate an efficient Randomized Controlled Trial study methodology for deployment in community populations.
• Evaluate the relative merits of three stress reduction interventions for urban female populations.

Keywords: African American, Alternative Medicine/Therapies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.