Research

Program Mission

The Sexual, Reproductive, and Mental (SRM) Health Disparities Program in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University focuses on the intersection of sexual, reproductive, and mental health in minoritized and marginalized populations, both domestically and internationally. We aim to (1) identify psychological barriers to optimal sexual and reproductive health and (2) develop psychosocial interventions that mitigate the influence of these barriers among populations at risk for poor sexual and reproductive health. We seek to continue and grow our collaborations with international and local research teams to ultimately implement these interventions on a large scale.  

 

Ongoing and Upcoming Projects

International Projects:

Reducing psychological barriers to PrEP persistence among pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa (NIMH K23MH131438)

PI: Dr. Amelia Stanton

The aims of this study:

  1. To explore the ways in which post-traumatic stress and depression impact PrEP use during pregnancy and the postpartum transition
  2. Develop a brief PrEP adherence and persistence intervention and assess barriers/facilitators to implementation in antenatal care
  3. Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in a pilot RCT

 

Mental health barriers to PrEP uptake among pregnant women in South Africa (funded by the Harvard Center for AIDS Research) (NIH/NIAID 5P30AI060354-17) 

PI: Dr. Amelia Stanton

The aims of this study:

    1. To assess the degree to which psychological challenges are associated with likelihood of PrEP uptake
    2. To explore mechanisms driving those associations

     

    Identifying and addressing barriers to retention in the cervical cancer treatment cascade among women with HIV in South Africa (funded by the Prov/Bos Center for AIDS Research) 

    PI: Dr. Amelia Stanton

    The aims of this study:

    1. To explore the barriers and facilitators to follow-up appointment attendance and subsequent treatment among women with HIV (WWH) with a recent high-risk abnormal pap smear in Durban, South Africa
    2. To develop a brief patient-level intervention and provider toolkit to increase retention in care among WWH
    3. To test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in an open pilot

     

    Treatment development for smoking cessation, depression, and engagement in HIV/TB care

    PI: Dr. Conall O’Cleirigh, Co-I: Dr. Amelia Stanton

    The aims of this study:

    1. To collect qualitative data that will inform the adaptation of an existing smoking cessation intervention for people with HIV and TB in South Africa
    2. To specify the intervention manual and conduct a small open trial of the intervention
    3. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in a pilot randomized controlled trial

     

    Domestic Projects:

    Adapting and testing a sexual function intervention for trans women (eSense+)

    PI: Dr. Amelia Stanton

    The aim of this study:

    1. Adapt the eSense intervention to improve sexual function and genital self-image among transgender women

     

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