The principal objective of this proposed multisite clinical trial is to continue efforts to develop the most effective combination of behavioral interventions to optimize the health status of the most neglected and understudied population affected by the AIDS epidemic in this country: poor women of color living with HIV/AIDS. Findings from the current study with this population affirm the utility of cognitive-behavioral stress management training combined with expressive-supportive therapy (CBSM+) in reducing distress (depression, anxiety) and denial, while improving social support, self-efficacy, coping skills and quality of life. The proposed study will extend these findings in seeking to determine whether exposure to CBSM+ can significantly improve the ability of the participants to take advantage of a health behavior change program encouraging the adoption and maintenance of healthier lifestyle behaviors (high levels of medication adherence, appropriate nutritional intake and physical activity, safer sexual practices and reduced substance use/abuse) essential for optimal health in the context of living with HIV/AIDS. A corollary objective will be to determine whether the proposed intervention program will be beneficial to less-acculturated segments of the affected population (i.e., non-English speaking women with HIV/AIDS) by establishing culturally- and linguistically-sensitive versions of the program in Spanish and Creole. To accomplish these objectives, the proposed Phase III multisite clinical trial described in two linked interactive research project grant applications (Miami- S. Weiss, P.I.; New York/New Jersey- J. Tobin, P.I.) will randomize 450 ethnically diverse women living with HIV/AIDS in the three major epicenters for women (Miami: n = 180; New York: n = 180; New Jersey: n = 90) into a group CBSM+ condition and an individual psycoeducational comparison condition (Phase I). Following Phase I, participants will be randomized by group or cohort into a group """"""""Healthier Lifestyles"""""""" skills training program or an individual health educational control condition (Phase II) devoted to improving medication adherence, nutrition, physical activity, safer sex and substance use reduction. Follow-up assessments will be carried out at 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH055463-07
Application #
6528679
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-BRB-S (07))
Program Officer
Gordon, Christopher M
Project Start
2000-09-30
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2002-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$846,133
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Miami School of Medicine
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Miami
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33146
Weiss, Stephen M; Tobin, Jonathan N; Lopez, Maria et al. (2015) Translating an Evidence-Based Behavioral Intervention for Women Living with HIV into Clinical Practice: The SMART/EST Women's Program. Int J Behav Med 22:415-24
Jones, Deborah; Owens, Mary; Kumar, Mahendra et al. (2014) The effect of relaxation interventions on cortisol levels in HIV-seropositive women. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 13:318-23
Jones, Deborah; Owens, Mary; Kumar, Mahendra et al. (2014) The effect of relaxation interventions on cortisol levels in HIV-seropositive women. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 13:318-23
Jones, Deborah L; Lopez, Maria; Simons, Hannah et al. (2013) Translation of a comprehensive health behavior intervention for women living with HIV: the SMART/EST Women's Program. Transl Behav Med 3:416-25
Weiss, Stephen M; Jones, Deborah L; Lopez, Maria et al. (2011) The many faces of translational research: a tale of two studies. Transl Behav Med 1:327-330
Jones, Deborah L; Ishii Owens, Mary; Lydston, David et al. (2010) Self-efficacy and distress in women with AIDS: the SMART/EST women's project. AIDS Care 22:1499-508
Jones, Deborah L; McPherson-Baker, Shvawn; Lydston, David et al. (2007) Efficacy of a group medication adherence intervention among HIV positive women: the SMART/EST Women's Project. AIDS Behav 11:79-86
Lopez, Eliot; Jones, Deborah L; Ishii, Mary et al. (2007) HIV Medication Adherence and Substance Use: The Smartest Women's Project. Am J Infect Dis 3:240-247
Segal-Isaacson, C J; Tobin, Jonathan N; Weiss, Stephen M et al. (2006) Improving dietary habits in disadvantaged women with HIV/AIDS: the SMART/EST women's project. AIDS Behav 10:659-70
Laperriere, Arthur; Ironson, Gail H; Antoni, Michael H et al. (2005) Decreased depression up to one year following CBSM+ intervention in depressed women with AIDS: the smart/EST women's project. J Health Psychol 10:223-31

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