NCT lookup

Sponsor: UConn Health

Conditions: Unemployment, HIV

Interventions: activity contracting, contingency management for activity completion

Countries: United States

Many persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are unemployed, with estimates indicating rates as high as 60%. This study will examine the efficacy of reinforcing job-acquisition activities for improving employment outcomes in PLWHA who desire to return to the workforce in part- or full-time capacity. In total, this study will randomly assign 144 unemployed PLWHA to one of two interventions. All participants will receive usual unemployment services with an emphasis on specific issues related to HIV/AIDS, plus encouragement for completing activities geared toward employment readiness and acquisition. The enhanced intervention will involve that same treatment plus chances to win prizes for engaging in job-related activities each week. Participants will receive study treatments for 16 weeks and complete follow-up evaluations throughout 18 months. The hypothesis is that participants reinforced for completing job-related activities will transition to employment at higher and faster rates and work more often than those who are not reinforced for job-related activities.