TY - JOUR
T1 - The interconnections project
T2 - Development and evaluation of a community-based depression program for African American violence survivors
AU - Nicolaidis, Christina
AU - Wahab, Stéphanie
AU - Trimble, Jammie
AU - Mejia, Angie
AU - Mitchell, S. Renee
AU - Raymaker, Dora
AU - Thomas, Mary Jo
AU - Timmons, Vanessa
AU - Waters, A. Star
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health (K23MH073008 and 1R21MH082139; PI Nicolaidis) and the Kaiser Permanente Community Fund – Northwest Health Foundation (grant #10571; PI Nicolaidis).
PY - 2013/4
Y1 - 2013/4
N2 - BACKGROUND: Multi-faceted depression care programs based within the healthcare system have been found to be effective, but may not fully address the needs of African American Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) survivors, many of whom are not seeking depression care in healthcare settings. OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a multifaceted, community-based depression care program (the Interconnections Project) for African American women with a history of IPV. METHODS: We used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop, implement, and evaluate the intervention. Participants were African American women who had current depressive symptoms and a lifetime history of IPV. They participated in a 6-month intervention where a peer advocate provided education, skills training, and case management services, and used Motivational Interviewing to support self-management behaviors. We conducted pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments using quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Fifty-nine women participated, with 92 % attending any sessions and 51 % attending at least 6 h of intervention activities. Intervention changes made to better accommodate participants' unpredictable schedules improved participation rates. Participants noted high levels of satisfaction with the program. There were significant improvements in depression severity (PHQ-9 13.9 to 7.9, p < 0.001), self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, and self-esteem (all p < 0.001), but no increase in use of antidepressants. Common themes related to why the program was helpful included that the program was by and for African American women, that it fostered trust, and that it taught self-management strategies with practical, lasting value. CONCLUSION: Culturally specific, community-based interventions led by peer advocates may be a promising way to help African American IPV survivors effectively address depression.
AB - BACKGROUND: Multi-faceted depression care programs based within the healthcare system have been found to be effective, but may not fully address the needs of African American Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) survivors, many of whom are not seeking depression care in healthcare settings. OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a multifaceted, community-based depression care program (the Interconnections Project) for African American women with a history of IPV. METHODS: We used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop, implement, and evaluate the intervention. Participants were African American women who had current depressive symptoms and a lifetime history of IPV. They participated in a 6-month intervention where a peer advocate provided education, skills training, and case management services, and used Motivational Interviewing to support self-management behaviors. We conducted pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments using quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Fifty-nine women participated, with 92 % attending any sessions and 51 % attending at least 6 h of intervention activities. Intervention changes made to better accommodate participants' unpredictable schedules improved participation rates. Participants noted high levels of satisfaction with the program. There were significant improvements in depression severity (PHQ-9 13.9 to 7.9, p < 0.001), self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, and self-esteem (all p < 0.001), but no increase in use of antidepressants. Common themes related to why the program was helpful included that the program was by and for African American women, that it fostered trust, and that it taught self-management strategies with practical, lasting value. CONCLUSION: Culturally specific, community-based interventions led by peer advocates may be a promising way to help African American IPV survivors effectively address depression.
KW - African Americans
KW - community interventions
KW - community-based participatory research
KW - depression
KW - intimate partner violence
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U2 - 10.1007/s11606-012-2270-7
DO - 10.1007/s11606-012-2270-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 23150070
AN - SCOPUS:84876669026
SN - 0884-8734
VL - 28
SP - 530
EP - 538
JO - Journal of general internal medicine
JF - Journal of general internal medicine
IS - 4
ER -