Reducing stigma and shame to help people with HIV and substance use stay virally suppressed
Mitigating the Impact of Stigma and Shame as an Obstacle to Viral Suppression Among People Living with HIV and Substance Use Disorders
A counseling program for people living with HIV who have substance use disorders to reduce stigma and shame and help them stay engaged in care and keep their viral load low.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10890733 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project offers the MATTER psychobehavioral program, developed with community input, to help people with HIV and substance use disorders manage stigma and shame that interfere with care. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the MATTER intervention or usual care and will work on self-care goal setting, building confidence, and metacognitive skills to notice and reduce shame-based thoughts. The research team will follow people over time to track clinic attendance, medication adherence, and viral load measurements. The aim is to see whether reducing internalized stigma leads to more consistent viral suppression and better engagement with HIV services.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who also have a substance use disorder and who are having trouble staying engaged in HIV care or achieving viral suppression would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without HIV, those without current substance use problems, or those already consistently virally suppressed and fully engaged in care may not receive benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help people with HIV and substance use disorders stay in care, improve adherence to HIV medications, and achieve durable viral suppression.
How similar studies have performed: A prior pilot randomized trial of the MATTER intervention demonstrated feasibility and acceptability, but larger trials are needed to confirm clinical benefit.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Batchelder, Abigail Winston — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Batchelder, Abigail Winston
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.