Feasibility and Acceptability of a Program to Promote Positive Affect, Well-Being and Gender Empowerment in Black Women Living with HIV

While programs and interventions intended to increase positive affect among people living with HIV (PLWH) and other chronic diseases have been associated with improved health outcomes, including decreased depression, programs have not been tailored specifically for Black women. We tailored a program designed to increase positive affect and to decrease depressive symptoms in PLWH to a group format for Black WLWH. We also added skills to increase gender empowerment. We then tested the acceptability and feasibility of this program with 8 Black WLWH. The program was acceptable and relatively feasible, as assessed by women’s participation and feedback about program clarity and helpfulness, which women rated above 9 on a 10-point scale. A few women suggested that optimal delivery point for some skills taught would be shortly after HIV diagnosis. A proof-of-concept program intended to bolster positive emotions and gender empowerment and decrease depression can be tailored for Black WLWH and is relatively feasible and acceptable. A randomized controlled trial is needed to assess the preliminary efficacy of this program on positive affect, depression, and other health outcomes for WLWH.