A pilot of a tripartite prevention program for homeless young women in the transition to adulthood

BACKGROUND: Among young women who are impoverished and homeless, the transition to adulthood (ages 18-25) is associated with alcohol and drug use, risky sexual activity, and increased risk of being victimized by intimate partner violence. METHODS: "The Power of YOU," a program using motivational interviewing (MI), was designed to address these problems. We tested the "Power of YOU" with 31 homeless women (ages 18-25) in 7 focus groups. Women completed questionnaires assessing background characteristics and satisfaction at the end of each group. Each group was followed by a feedback session that was audiorecorded and transcribed. Key themes were identified. RESULTS: During a past 6-month period, 38.7% of women reported alcohol intoxication, 19.3% reported 2-3 male sex partners, and 22.2% reported major physical violence from a partner. Women expressed satisfaction and provided consistently positive feedback on the intervention, reporting, for example, that it was "helpful to know how to put a condom on" and that they appreciated the attention paid to safety planning. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this pilot suggest that "The Power of YOU" may hold promise in helping homeless young women in the transition to adulthood make healthier choices and plan for high-risk situations, and that the nonconfrontational, nonjudgmental approach of MI appeared appropriate for this population.