@article{ref1,
title="MYPATH: A novel mindfulness and yoga-based peer leader intervention to prevent violence among youth experiencing homelessness",
journal="Journal of community psychology",
year="2021",
author="Barr, Nicholas and Petering, Robin and Onasch-Vera, Laura and Thompson, Nichole and Polsky, Ryan",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH) are at elevated risk for violence victimization and perpetration. However, there are no evidence-based violence prevention interventions for homeless populations. This study is an evaluation of a novel mindfulness-based peer-leader intervention designed to reduce violence and improve mindfulness in YAEH. A social network of YAEH receiving services at a drop-in agency was recruited in Summer 2018 (n = 106) and peer-leaders identified at baseline (n = 12). Peer leaders were trained in mindfulness and yoga skills during a 1-day intensive workshop and seven 1-h weekly follow-up workshops and encouraged to share their knowledge with in-network peers. Postintervention data were collected 2 and 3 months after baseline. Two one-way repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) tested differences in means for mindfulness and fighting. ANOVA models showed significant increases in group mean mindfulness F(2, 110) = 3.42, p < 0.05 and significant decreases in group mean violent behavior F(2, 112) = 5.23, p < 0.01 at the network level. <br><br>FINDINGS indicate a network-based, peer-leader model can be effective for influencing complex, socially conditioned attitudes and behaviors among YAEH. Additional advantages of the peer-leader model include relatively few direct-service person-hours required from providers and convenience to participants able practice skills in their relevant social contexts.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0090-4392",
doi="10.1002/jcop.22661",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22661"
}