# Developing Internet-Delivered, Mindfulness-based Intervention to Reduce HIV Risk and Promote Mental and Sexual Health among Young Adult MSM

> **NIH NIH K23** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $168,370

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM; age 18-24) are disproportionately burdened by HIV. Minority
stress and its “downstream” effects in YMSM, including mental health issues, sexual risk behaviors, and
suboptimal HIV testing, contribute to syndemic risks surrounding HIV. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI),
adapted for HIV prevention among YMSM and online-based delivery, could offer a transdiagnostic, innovative,
and scalable method to address this public health issue. Consistent with NCCIH’s scientific priority in Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion across Lifespan and NIH’s Strategic Plan to Advance Research on the
Health of Sexual and Gender Minorities, the current project targets distressed, high HIV risk YMSM and aims
to mobilize MBI for HIV prevention, to reduce minority stress and promote mental and HIV-related behavioral
health. Specifically, this K23 will provide support for early phase, exploratory clinical trial by adapting
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and conducting a feasibility trial among YMSM. Candidate: Dr.
Sun is a clinical scientist with a research background in HIV prevention and mental health concerning minority
populations. In recent years, she has pursued clinical and research development in mindfulness. Building on
her prior work, she is applying for a five-year K23 Career Development Award to obtain training, mentorship,
and research experience to become an expert in adapting and evaluating MBI to address HIV-related health
disparities and an independent investigator capable of R01 funding. Mentoring: An excellent team of senior
investigators serve as mentors on this proposal. Drs. Don Operario and Judson Brewer are co-primary
mentors, who have complimentary expertise in HIV prevention for MSM and internet-based MBI for behavioral
health. Three co-mentors bring expertise in internet-based HIV intervention with young adults (Dr. Larry
Brown), mindfulness for population health (Dr. Eric Loucks), and stress physiology (Dr. Audrey Tyrka).
Research: Guided by the ADAPT-ITT model, the proposed project aims to (1) adapt MBSR for distressed, high
risk YMSM using focus groups with YMSM (n=30) and stakeholders (n=16), (2) refine the intervention protocol
by administering adapted materials to distressed, high risk YMSM (n=18) via theatre testing, and (3) examine
the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted iMBI for HIV prevention by randomizing 40 distressed, high-risk
YMSM to the iMBI (n=20) and a waitlist condition (n=20). Primary outcomes are HIV testing and sexual risk
behaviors. Secondary outcomes are stress biomarker (hair cortisol), psychological health, minority stress and
coping. Trainings: Dr. Sun will receive tailored training in MBSR, intervention adaptation and implementation
for YMSM, and a biopsychosocial-based understanding of stress through coursework, seminars, workshops,
directed readings, and mentored research. Guided by an excellent mentorship team, these training and
rese...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10675151
- **Project number:** 3K23AT011173-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Shufang Sun
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $168,370
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10675151

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10675151, Developing Internet-Delivered, Mindfulness-based Intervention to Reduce HIV Risk and Promote Mental and Sexual Health among Young Adult MSM (3K23AT011173-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10675151. Licensed CC0.

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