Black youth face significant disparities in HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) disease burden. Mental illness and emotion regulation are ontributors to HIV/STI risk, yet many HIV/STI prevention interventions do not address these factors. Project GOLD was a pilot randomized controlled trial of a psychoeducational HIV/STI prevention intervention designed to address the role of mental illness and emotion regulation in HIV/STI risk among heterosexually active Black youth aged 14-17 (N = 108). Participants were recruited from outpatient mental health treatment programs and general community settings via community partner referrals, face-to-face encounters, flyers and social media. Assessments were conducted pretest, immediate posttest, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Although there were no statistically significant differences in behavior change from baseline, there were practically significant effect sizes among HIV condition participants when compared to the general health condition (e.g., fewer sexual partners at 6 months). An increase in theoretical mediators (e.g., condom use negotiation beliefs) was sustained at 12 months. HIV condition participants also reported lower depressive symptom severity, with statistical significance noted at immediate post and at 3 months. The findings highlight the importance and challenges of engaging Black youth in culturally and contextually relevant, developmentally and psychologically appropriate HIV/STI prevention interventions.
Keywords: Black; HIV/STI; emotion regulation; intervention; mental health.