title: Peer Mentoring for Male Parolees: A CBPR Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Formerly incarcerated adults are impoverished, have high rates of substance use disorders, and have long histories of imprisonment. This article describes the development of a peer mentoring program for formerly incarcerated adults and the pilot study designed to evaluate it. The research team, which included formerly incarcerated adults and academic researchers, developed the peer mentoring program to support formerly incarcerated adults' transition to the community after prison.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of the pilot evaluation study were to (1) assess the feasibility of implementing a peer-based intervention for recently released men developed using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach; (2) establish preliminary data on the program's impact on coping, self-esteem, abstinence self-efficacy, social support, and participation in 12-step meetings; and (3) establish a CBPR team of formerly incarcerated adults and academic researchers to develop, implement, and test interventions for this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot evaluation study employed a mixed-methods approach with a single group pretest/posttest design with 20 men on parole released from prison within the last 30 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quantitative findings showed significant improvement on two abstinence self-efficacy subscales, negative affect and habitual craving. Qualitative findings revealed the relevance and acceptance of peer mentoring for this population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated the feasibility and import of involving formerly incarcerated adults in the design, implementation, and testing of interventions intended to support their reintegration efforts.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marlow
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grajeda
authors.forename: Yema
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Earthy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011329:Prisoners