# Addressing Trauma from Interpersonal Violence through a Web-based Peer Navigation-Social Support Intervention to Improve ART Adherence among Women

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2022 · $706,760

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
In the US, women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) are less likely to be adherent to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
and virally suppressed compared to men living with HIV/AIDS. Concurrently, WLHA experience high rates of
interpersonal violence – physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse in adulthood – which often results in
trauma (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) and other adverse mental health, further contributing to
ART non-adherence. Additionally, the confluence of syndemic adverse mental health, substance use, and
socio-structural factors (e.g., HIV stigma, medical mistrust) further contribute to poor HIV outcomes. Social
support through peer navigation and networks has been shown to counter these effects and improve HIV
outcomes among WLHA. Likewise, psychoeducation addressing affective distress to improve mood and
emotion management and relationship skills has been shown to reduce PTSD and depression. However,
limited resources at HIV service agencies combined with socio-structural barriers (e.g., lack of transportation,
competing priorities) impede the potential effectiveness of in-person peer navigation. A scalable and
sustainable solution is the use of technology in the form of web-based video interaction. To that end, we
developed and pilot tested a 4-month web-based, trauma-informed peer navigation-psychoeducation social
support intervention among WLHA affected by interpersonal violence and syndemic adverse mental health
and/or substance use. We demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, preliminary improvements in ART adherence,
PTSD symptoms, coping self-efficacy, and social support. Building on these promising pilot findings, we
propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial of Women SHINE to improve ART adherence among WLHA
affected by adulthood interpersonal violence in California. Participants will be randomized to either: a) the
intervention arm (n=180) where women will receive a 4-month program comprised of video-based peer
navigation support via one-on-one sessions and 7 psychoeducation weekly support group sessions, and
access to a static Women SHINE website with statewide resources for HIV care, interpersonal violence,
trauma, mental health, and substance use; or b) the control arm (n=180) where women will receive a single
group session on self-care and well-being, with access to the static Women SHINE website. Women will
complete video-based survey assessments and mailed hair sample self-collection at baseline, 4-, 8-, and 12-
months post-randomization. Compared to the control arm, we will determine if Women SHINE is associated
with improvements in ART adherence (Aim 1) and PTSD symptoms and emotion regulation (Aim 2). We will
also examine individual (e.g., self-efficacy for coping, social support networks) and socio-structural (e.g., HIV
stigma, medical mistrust) mechanisms of change in the efficacy of Women SHINE (Aim 3). If efficacious, we
will conduct subsequent research to determine effective a...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10439898
- **Project number:** 5R01MH125785-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Jamila Kinshasa Stockman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $706,760
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10439898

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10439898, Addressing Trauma from Interpersonal Violence through a Web-based Peer Navigation-Social Support Intervention to Improve ART Adherence among Women (5R01MH125785-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10439898. Licensed CC0.

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