Suicidal, abused African American women's response to a culturally informed intervention.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined (a) the efficacy of a manualized, culturally informed, empowerment-focused psychoeducational group intervention (Nia) designed in accord with the theory of triadic influence or treatment as usual (TAU) for reducing psychological symptomatology (suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, general psychological distress), and (b) the effect of Nia versus TAU on the relation between exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychological symptomatology in these women.


METHODS
Two hundred eight low-socioeconomic-status African American women with a recent history of IPV and a suicide attempt were randomized to Nia or TAU and assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-up. They were assessed on their levels of IPV (Index of Spouse Abuse), suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II), posttraumatic stress symptoms, and general psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory).


RESULTS
Hierarchical linear modeling found that women receiving the culturally informed Nia intervention showed more rapid reductions in depressive symptoms and general distress initially, and the between-group difference in depressive symptoms persisted at follow-up. Following intervention, compared with women randomized to TAU, women in Nia exhibited less severe suicidal ideation when exposed to physical and nonphysical IPV.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the value of incorporating Nia as an adjunctive intervention for abused, suicidal, low-income women. They underscore the ways the intervention needs to be bolstered to address more directly more mediating and moderating constructs, as well as the need to target more effectively the key outcomes.
Kaslow
Nadine J
NJ
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Leiner
Amy S
AS
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Reviere
Susan
S
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Jackson
Emily
E
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Bethea
Kafi
K
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Bhaju
Jeshmin
J
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Rhodes
Miesha
M
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Gantt
Min-Jung
MJ
Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Senter
Herman
H
Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Thompson
Martie P
MP
Department of Public Health Sciences.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011203:Poverty; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention