Living in the Face of Trauma (LIFT)

Living in the Face of Trauma (LIFT) is an intervention designed to reduce sexual behavior among HIV-positive persons that puts their partners at risk for acquiring the virus. This intervention is specifically tailored for adults who experienced sexual abuse in childhood.

The intervention is delivered to groups of 6 to 8 people and teaches participants strategies for coping with unchangeable stressors. The strategies help participants identify and address personal stressors related their HIV infection and sexual trauma. The intervention is comprised of 15, 90-minute sessions and is between three and four months in duration. During all sessions participants engage in discussions and skill-building exercises with the other participants of the same sex. Sessions are typically held at a local community health centers. Relaxation techniques are also incorporated into the sessions. Overall, these strategies help participants to cognitively restructure their behavior patterns such that they are able to reduce HIV transmission risk behavior.

Eliminate or reduce sexual transmission risk behavior and to improve coping with the combined stressors of HIV infection and child sexual abuse.

LIFT intervention participants reported significantly fewer counts of unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse with all partners (p < .001) and with HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners (p < .001), compared to support group participants.

The intervention was evaluated in New York City between 2002 and 2004 by a randomized controlled study. Participants in the study were recruited from AIDS service organizations and community health care clinics in New York City. People eligible for the study, HIV-positive with a history of sexual abuse in childhood, were assigned to receive either the LIFT intervention or to participate in an HIV support group. Sexual behaviors during past 4 months were measured at 2 weeks after the intervention and at 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-ups. Across the three follow-up assessments, LIFT intervention participants reported significantly fewer counts of unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse with all partners (p < .001) and with HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners (p < .001), compared to support group participants.

Over the one year follow up period, The LIFT intervention was also shown to significantly reduce cocaine and alcohol use, and reduce traumatic stress.