title: A computer-assisted motivational social network intervention to reduce alcohol, drug and HIV risk behaviors among Housing First residents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals transitioning from homelessness to housing face challenges to reducing alcohol, drug and HIV risk behaviors. To aid in this transition, this study developed and will test a computer-assisted intervention that delivers personalized social network feedback by an intervention facilitator trained in motivational interviewing (MI). The intervention goal is to enhance motivation to reduce high risk alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and reduce HIV risk behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this Stage 1b pilot trial, 60 individuals that are transitioning from homelessness to housing will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. The intervention condition consists of four biweekly social network sessions conducted using MI. AOD use and HIV risk behaviors will be monitored prior to and immediately following the intervention and compared to control participants' behaviors to explore whether the intervention was associated with any systematic changes in AOD use or HIV risk behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Social network health interventions are an innovative approach for reducing future AOD use and HIV risk problems, but little is known about their feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy. The current study develops and pilot-tests a computer-assisted intervention that incorporates social network visualizations and MI techniques to reduce high risk AOD use and HIV behaviors among the formerly homeless. CLINICALTRIALS.
  NCT02140359.
authors.affiliation: RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA. davidk@rand.org.
authors.forename: David P
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7742-1792
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chan Osilla
authors.affiliation: RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA.
authors.forename: Ervant
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maksabedian
authors.affiliation: RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Golinelli
authors.affiliation: RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA.
authors.forename: Joan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Alcohol and other drug use; Data visualization; EgoWeb; HIV risk behaviors; Homelessness; Housing First; Motivational interviewing; Social network intervention