Factors that Increase and Decrease Therapist Use of an Evidence-based Practice with Youth Victims of Commercial Sex Trafficking

Traumatic experiences occurring during childhood is an increasing public health concern. Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), which is the sexual abuse of a minor for economic gain, can be considered a complex trauma, as often this experience includes entrapment, isolation, frequent relocation, and prolonged physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. CSEC victims have a particularly high risk for negative mental health outcomes, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, which requires trauma-focused care. Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is the gold standard treatment approach for children and adolescents that have experienced sexual abuse. TF-CBT is an evidence-based practice designed to target negative mental health outcomes associated with traumatic experiences, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, and externalizing behavior problems. A network of highly trained therapists was established in Georgia to serve the CSEC population. The current research study examined responses from therapists following an advanced TF-CBT CSEC training workshop. A primary objective of this study was to assess needs identified by the providers while considering suggestions for improved applications of TF-CBT with CSEC clients. Results from this study reaffirm the benefits of using TF-CBT with CSEC clients, but emphasizes the need for additional TF-CBT CSEC-specific resources to be developed

Preparatory and performance self-efficacy in athletes

The present study examines two subdivisions of general self-efficacy: preparatory self-efficacy, (the belief that you will be able to successfully complete a task) and performance self-efficacy (the belief held while accomplishing a task that it would be successful). These were examined as participants varying in athletic expertise performed two spatial imagery tasks while either being told or not that they were in competition with others completing the same tasks. Results indicated that preparatory self-efficacy was not affected by either engagement in the task or the perception of competition with others. However, for those who perceived they were competing with others, results indicated a relationship between general self-efficacy and performance self-efficacy. Contrary to extant research, there were no gender differences in the results, nor was there an expected relationship of changes in self-efficacy with athletic expertise. Based on these results, implications for future research include examining the contribution of overconfidence to preparatory and performance self-efficacy; people may believe that they can complete a task without having the necessary resources to do so effectively. People might better spend more time practicing tasks, despite feeling confident in their abilities

Preparatory and performance self-efficacy in athletes

The present study examines two subdivisions of general self-efficacy: preparatory self-efficacy, (the belief that you will be able to successfully complete a task) and performance self-efficacy (the belief held while accomplishing a task that it would be successful). These were examined as participants varying in athletic expertise performed two spatial imagery tasks while either being told or not that they were in competition with others completing the same tasks. Results indicated that preparatory self-efficacy was not affected by either engagement in the task or the perception of competition with others. However, for those who perceived they were competing with others, results indicated a relationship between general self-efficacy and performance self-efficacy. Contrary to extant research, there were no gender differences in the results, nor was there an expected relationship of changes in self-efficacy with athletic expertise. Based on these results, implications for future research include examining the contribution of overconfidence to preparatory and performance self-efficacy; people may believe that they can complete a task without having the necessary resources to do so effectively. People might better spend more time practicing tasks, despite feeling confident in their abilities

Adherence, Sexual Risk, and Viral Load in HIV-Infected Women Prescribed Antiretroviral Therapy

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a connection between adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and use of risk reduction behaviors (RRB) in HIV-infected women who were prescribed antiretroviral therapy. The sample consisted of 193 predominately African American women with an average age of 44 who had been on ARV for approximately 9 years and had low annual incomes. All women were participating in a behavioral clinical trial focused on these dual outcomes. Using a risk index developed for this study, we examined the relationship of a composite of risk behaviors to electronically measured and self-reported adherence over the approximately 13-month study period. Women were categorized based on levels of adherence and risky behaviors, and we sought to determine if these classifications were associated with clinical outcomes of HIV viral load and CD4 counts. High levels of adherence were correlated with low risk behaviors (abstinence, consistent use of condoms, etc.). Those classified as high adherence and low-risk behavior (HALR) as well as those classified as high adherence and high-risk behavior (HAHR) had lower mean viral loads and higher CD4 counts than those in the other categories. Women in the low adherence and high-risk category (LAHR) had detectable viral loads and the lowest CD4 counts and are at higher risk for transmitting HIV to partners and unborn children. Our findings underscore the importance of addressing adherence to both ART and RRB in HIV clinical settings to improve clinical outcomes and reduce HIV transmission