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Abstract
Given the significant benefits of group-level interventions and the ongoing need for support services, education, and secondary prevention for HIV-positive youth, staff in the Risk Reduction Program within the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles implemented a psychoeducational and social support process group for youth ages 18 to 25 living with HIV. This group, called Powerful Youth, has been successful with regard to consistent youth participation and reported satisfaction. This article provides a description of Powerful Youth and also describes the subsequent evaluative focus group that was conducted (utilizing the nominal group technique) to examine youth-identified factors that facilitate as well as hinder youth participation and satisfaction in this HIV support group. Results of this focus group regarding specific therapeutic factors (i.e., group cohesion, universality, imparting information, and instillation of hope), perceived group benefits, group challenges, barriers to attendance, and suggestions for improvement are reviewed and discussed. Specific recommendations for better serving the needs of this population through group interventions are suggested.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research was supported by the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. We also appreciate the contributions of Shann Collotzi, LCSW, who ran the group with one of the writers (Sari Glassgold, PhD, and who helped facilitate the focus group. We also would like to thank the youth who took the time to participate in the focus group for their participation, honesty and valuable input.