Skip to main content

Table 1 Program overview

From: Study protocol for a group-based motivational interviewing brief intervention to reduce substance use and sexual risk behavior among young adults experiencing homelessness

Session

Goals

1

HIV/STIs: knowing the facts

Provide basic information on HIV/STIs through provision of personalized feedback. Discuss substance use as a risk factor for HIV/STI transmission

Discuss prevalence of HIV/STIs and why it might be higher among young adults who are homeless Discuss how substance use puts people at higher risk for HIV/STIs

Help participants better evaluate partner risk in terms of HIV/STI transmission

Provide normative feedback about HIV-related behaviors

Help participants develop skills to effectively use a condom

2

HIV/STIs: dealing with risky situations

Help participants identify people, places, situations, and feelings that may trigger their sexual risk behaviors (emphasizing the role of substance use as a trigger for sexual risk behavior). Discuss ways to avoid triggers

Help participants strategize on how to deal with triggers and plan ahead so they can make a healthier choice

Help participants develop skills to better deal with risky situations through a role playing exercise

Help participants evaluate their willingness and confidence to change their behavior

3

Substance use: weighing the pros and cons

Provide normative feedback about alcohol use (e.g., frequency, quantity)

Help participants weigh the pros and cons of substance use (including its effects on sexual behavior) so they can make thoughtful choices about their use

Help participants develop strategies for decreasing negative consequences of use, as well as reaping the positive benefits without using

Help participants evaluate their willingness and confidence to change their behavior

4

Substance use: what can happen

Provide information on the brain, and how alcohol and drug use can affect brain functioning

Discuss how alcohol and drug use can affect behavior, providing personalized feedback on negative alcohol consequences as concrete examples

Help participants develop strategies for protecting themselves while drinking in order to avoid negative consequences from use