Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Tool for At-Risk Trauma-Exposed Young People
This is a multi-phased study, funded through a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) K24 grant that aims to ultimately refine a virtual reality tool through qualitative and quantitative research targeting HIV and substance abuse risk behavior among at-risk young people who have experienced psychosocial trauma. Participants eligible for this study include young men who have sex with men (YMSM)/individuals who are romantically/physically attracted to men and adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) between the ages of 15 - 30 and have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Frontline healthcare workers who work within these populations are eligible for the study as well.
• Someone who identifies as a YMSM or identifies as someone with romantic or physical attraction to individuals who identify as men
• Is aged 15-30 years
• Have experienced at least one ITE in lifetime (i.e., sexual assault, physical assault, witnessed domestic or community violence)
• Report being consensually sexually active or planning to become sexually active with a partner in the next 12 months
• Live in the Charleston, SC/Tri-county area
• Someone who reports using substances in the past year (for participants ages 15-17) or the past 6 months (for participants ages 18-30)
• Is aged 15-30 years
• Have experienced at least one ITE in lifetime (i.e., sexual assault, physical assault, witnessed domestic or community violence)
• Report being consensually sexually active or planning to become sexually active with a partner in the next 12 months
• Live in the Charleston, SC/Tri-county area
• works directly with adolescents who have experienced ITE and/or
• works directly with adolescents or young adults with SUD and/or
• works directly with YMSM and/or
• works directly with and/or adolescent or young adults who are HIV-positive