The purpose of this application for a K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award is to provide the candidate with mentoring that will promote her development as an independent investigator in the area of HIV prevention with a focus on using advanced statistical and methodological tools to increase understanding of behavioral change and contribute to intervention development. This goal will be achieved via a five-year mentored training plan and complementary research plan.
Aims of the training plan are to: (1) learn to apply the technique of integrative data analysis (IDA), a technique for combining multiple, independent datasets to increase statistical power and sample diversity;increase skills related to other advanced statistical techniques that can aid in the analysis of data from randomized controlled trials (2) (RCTs);(3) increase theoretical and applied knowledge of sexual risk reduction interventions with high-risk populations;and (4) strengthen manuscript preparation and grant writing skills. These goals will be achieved through mentorship from and collaboration with leading experts in quantitative methods, biostatistics in the context of HIV prevention, and HIV interventions, as well as through formal coursework, workshops, seminars, and direct participation in research activities. Knowledge gained via the training plan will be augmented by the proposed research. The overall aim of the proposed research is employ IDA to combine data from four RCTs conducted at sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics. The resultant data set, including longitudinal data from 3,704 patients, will allow the testing of critcal hypotheses and the evaluation of constructs hypothesized to influence sexual risk reduction following intervention. Results will identify key targets for brief risk reduction interventions.
Te specific aims of the proposed research are (1) to integrate data from RCTs of sexual risk reduction interventions to extract overall trajectories of sexual risk behavior prior to and following intervention, (2) to determine mechanisms of change in sexual risk behavior, and (3) to identify factors associated with differential response to intervention. The proposed research will show patterns of intervention-related behavior change across multiple trials and identify key variables associated with sexual risk reduction, suggesting targets for more effective, cost-efficient brief interventions that may reduce rates of STIs including HIV, and will generate conference presentations, journal K-award, the candidate will emerge as an independent investigator with expertise in sophisticated statistical methodologies ready to make unique contributions to the field of HIV prevention.

Public Health Relevance

Patients at sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics report high rates of sexual risk behavior, are likely to experience repeat STIs, and are at increased risk of HIV relative to the general population. Behavioral interventions are an essential strategy for reducing risk behaviors leading to STI and HIV, and developing and disseminating effective and efficient behavioral interventions is an important public health goal. Identifying mechanisms of intervention effects and risk factors that moderate these effects is key to designing more effective brief risk reduction interventions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01MH099956-01
Application #
8465694
Study Section
Behavioral and Social Consequences of HIV/AIDS Study Section (BSCH)
Program Officer
Brouwers, Pim
Project Start
2012-12-13
Project End
2017-11-30
Budget Start
2012-12-13
Budget End
2013-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$162,449
Indirect Cost
$11,216
Name
Miriam Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
063902704
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02906
Carey, Kate B; Merrill, Jennifer E; Walsh, Jennifer L et al. (2018) Predictors of short-term change after a brief alcohol intervention for mandated college drinkers. Addict Behav 77:152-159
Carey, Kate B; Walsh, Jennifer L; Merrill, Jennifer E et al. (2018) Using e-mail boosters to maintain change after brief alcohol interventions for mandated college students: A randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol 86:787-798
Nydegger, Liesl A; Walsh, Jennifer L (2018) Strength of Implementation Intentions to Use Condoms Among Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 22:3491-3499
John, Steven A; Walsh, Jennifer L; Cho, Young Ik et al. (2018) Perceived Risk of Intimate Partner Violence Among STI Clinic Patients: Implications for Partner Notification and Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy. Arch Sex Behav 47:481-492
John, Steven A; Walsh, Jennifer L; Weinhardt, Lance S (2017) The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model Revisited: A Network-Perspective Structural Equation Model Within a Public Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic Sample of Hazardous Alcohol Users. AIDS Behav 21:1208-1218
Petroll, Andrew E; Walsh, Jennifer L; Owczarzak, Jill L et al. (2017) PrEP Awareness, Familiarity, Comfort, and Prescribing Experience among US Primary Care Providers and HIV Specialists. AIDS Behav 21:1256-1267
Walsh, Jennifer L; Weinhardt, Lance S; Kalichman, Seth C et al. (2017) Using Integrative Data Analysis to Examine Changes in Alcohol Use and Changes in Sexual Risk Behavior Across Four Samples of STI Clinic Patients. Ann Behav Med 51:39-56
McGarrity, Larissa A; Senn, Theresa E; Walsh, Jennifer L et al. (2017) Psychological Distress Moderates the Intention-Behavior Association for Sexual Partner Concurrency Among Adults. AIDS Behav 21:1567-1571
Walsh, Jennifer L; Petroll, Andrew E (2017) Factors Related to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Prescription by U.S. Primary Care Physicians. Am J Prev Med 52:e165-e172
Carey, Kate B; Senn, Theresa E; Walsh, Jennifer L et al. (2016) Alcohol Use Predicts Number of Sexual Partners for Female but not Male STI Clinic Patients. AIDS Behav 20 Suppl 1:S52-9

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