Community engagement in dissemination and implementation models: A narrative review.

Background: Responding to the growing demand for scientific understanding of adoption and uptake of evidence-based interventions (EBIs), numerous dissemination and implementation ("D&I") models have been proposed in the extant literature. This review aimed to identify community-specific constructs with the potential to help researchers engage community partners in D&I studies or deploy EBIs. Methods: We identified 74 D&I models targeting community-level changes. We built on Tabak et al.'s narrative review that identified 51 D&I models published up to 2012 and identified 23 D&I models published between 2012 and 2020 from the Health Research & Practice website (16 models) and PubMed database (7 models). Three coders independently examined all 74 models looking for community-specific engagement constructs. Results: We identified five community engagement constructs: (1) Communication, (2) Partnership Exchange, (3) Community Capacity Building, (4) Leadership, and (5) Collaboration. Of the 74 models, 20% reflected all five constructs; 32%, four; 22%, three; 20%, two; and 5%, only one. Few models with strong community content have been introduced since 2009. Conclusion: This article bridges the community-engaged and D&I research literature by identifying community engagement constructs reflected in existing D&I models, targeting community-level changes. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. Plain language summary: Responding to the growing demand for scientific understanding of adoption and uptake of evidence-based interventions (EBIs), numerous dissemination and implementation ("D&I") models have been proposed. This review aimed to identify community-specific constructs with the potential to help researchers engage community partners in D&I studies or deploy EBIs. We identified 74 D&I models targeting community-level changes, published between 2012 and 2020. Three coders independently examined all 74 models looking for community-specific engagement constructs. We identified five community engagement constructs: (1) Communication, (2) Partnership Exchange, (3) Community Capacity Building, (4) Leadership, and (5) Collaboration. Of the 74 models, 20% reflected all five constructs; 32%, four; 22%, three; 20%, two; and 5%, only one. This article identified community engagement constructs reflected in existing D&I models targeting community-level changes. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Using community-engaged methods to adapt virtual reality job-interview training for transition-age youth on the autism spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Virtual Reality Job-Interview Training (VR-JIT) is an efficacious Internet-based intervention for adults with severe mental illness (SMI). Evaluations of VR-JIT have shown improved interview skill and access to employment in several cohorts of adults with SMI and with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). VR-JIT trains participants how to fill out job applications and handle job interviews through e-learning content and applied practice. Trainees receive feedback through in-the-moment nonverbal cues, critiques, and recommendations for improving performance. Our study sought to adapt VR-JIT for transition-age youth with ASD (TAY-ASD). METHODS: We recruited TAY-ASD and adult stakeholders from public and charter schools, transition programs, and community service providers. Participants provided feedback on VR-JIT to enhance its applicability to TAY-ASD. We used community-engaged methods to process and analyze data from TAY-ASD and stakeholders, presented their quantitative and qualitative responses to community and scientific advisory boards for review and recommendations, and adapted the intervention design and content. RESULTS: Our adaptations included adding diversity (gender; race/ethnicity) to the virtual hiring manager; shortening the interview by reducing response options; increasing social storytelling to enhance engagement with VR-JIT core components; adding employment opportunities more relevant to younger workers; reducing the reading level; and making the e-learning content more accessible by adding bullet points, voiceover, and imagery/video; and adding new learning goals. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a rigorous and innovative community-engaged methodology for adapting VR-JIT to meet the needs of TAY-ASD. We review our engagement with TAY-ASD and stakeholders, and discuss the standardized coding scheme we used to adapt VR-JIT and the usefulness and limitations of employing this methodology in adapting other behavioral interventions.

Discrimination, arrest history, and major depressive disorder in the U.S. Black population.

Everyday discrimination contributes negatively to depressive symptomatology among Blacks in the US and being arrested could add to this depression. Using data from the National Survey on American Life, the present study determined the association between an arrest history and major depressive disorder (MDD), while accounting for discrimination among African Americans, US-born Afro-Caribbeans and first-generation Black immigrants. Findings from logistic regression analyses adjusted for discrimination suggested an arrest history is associated with 12-month MDD (Adjusted OR=1.47; 95% CI=1.02-2.10) and lifetime MDD (Adjusted OR=1.56 CI=1.17-2.09). Accounting for drug and alcohol dependence attenuated the association between arrest history and 12-month MDD, but not lifetime MDD. The associations between arrest history and both 12-month and lifetime MDD, and discrimination and lifetime MDD varied by ethnic/immigrant group. Specifically, while the association between arrest history and MDD (both 12-month and lifetime) was strongest among US-born Afro-Caribbeans, evidence consistent with the immigrant paradox, the association between discrimination and lifetime MDD was particularly relevant for first-generation Black immigrants, suggesting discrimination may hinder the protection of first-generation status. Mental health prevention and treatment programs should target the stress associated with being arrested and experiencing discrimination among US Blacks.