Psychosocial and Health-Related Behavioral Outcomes of a Work Readiness HIV Peer Worker Training Program

Erin McKinney-Prupis (), Yung-Chen Jen Chiu, Christian Grov, Emma K. Tsui and Sharen I. Duke
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Erin McKinney-Prupis: Alliance for Positive Change, New York, NY 10001, USA
Yung-Chen Jen Chiu: Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10065, USA
Christian Grov: Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY 10017, USA
Emma K. Tsui: Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY 10017, USA
Sharen I. Duke: Alliance for Positive Change, New York, NY 10001, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-19

Abstract: Targeted work readiness training is an important approach to help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to overcome their unique barriers to work, while addressing social determinants of health needs. This study assesses the psychosocial impacts of a work readiness training and internship program among HIV peer workers in New York City. From 2014 through 2018, 137 PLHIV completed the training program, and 55 individuals completed both the training and the six-month peer internship. Depression, HIV internalized stigma, self-esteem, HIV medication adherence, patient self-advocacy, and safer sex communication apprehension were used as outcome measures. Paired t -tests were performed to determine if significant score changes occurred at the individual level before and after each training. Our results show that participating in the peer worker training program significantly decreased depression and internalized HIV stigma, and significantly increased self-esteem, medication adherence, and patient self-advocacy. The study underscores that peer worker training programs are important tools to improve not only the work readiness of PLHIV, but also psychosocial and health outcomes. Implications for HIV service providers and stakeholders are discussed.

Keywords: HIV; peer; work; employment; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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