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Research That Matters: Kato, Yuki, Catarina Passidomo, and Daina Harvey. 2014. "Political Gardening in Post-Disaster City: Lessons From New Orleans." Urban Studies 51:1822-1849.

Journal Article 1: Swan, H. (2016). A qualitative examination of stigma among formerly incarcerated adults living with HIV. Sage OPEN, 6(1), 1–9.

Abstract: The over-representation of people with stigmatized characteristics in the U.S. criminal justice population, including adults living with HIV, makes formerly incarcerated adults susceptible to multiple stigmas. Yet, the experience of HIV-related stigma, especially among individuals who have an additional compromising status in society (i.e., a criminal record) is understudied. This study used qualitative data from 30 interviews with formerly incarcerated adults living with HIV to explore the contexts within which one of these statuses becomes more salient than another for these individuals. Anticipated stigma was the primary barrier to disclosure of either status. The salience of anticipated stigma depended on the context within which disclosure may occur, including social interactions, employment, and engaging in HIV care. Communities with a high prevalence of HIV and incarceration, and health care providers within those communities should be targeted for stigma reduction efforts. Practitioners should work to empower individuals living with HIV, especially in the face of multiple potential stigmas.

Journal Article 2: Gallagher, J. R., Nordberg, A., & Lefebvre, E. (2016). Improving graduation rates in drug court: A qualitative study of participants’ lived experiences. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 17(4), 468–484.

Abstract: For nearly three decades, drug courts have provided a rehabilitative approach within the criminal justice system for individuals who have a substance use disorder. The goal of drug courts is to reduce criminal recidivism, and research has consistently suggested that participants that graduate drug court are less likely to recidivate than those who are terminated from the program. This qualitative study adds to the literature by asking drug court participants (N = 42) their views on the most helpful aspects of the program that support them in graduating and how the program could be more helpful to support them in graduating. Two themes emerged from the data: (1) participants felt that interventions that are common to drug courts, such as drug testing and having frequent contact with the judge, were most helpful in supporting them in graduating the program; (2) participants felt that the agencies that offered treatment for their substance use disorders used punitive tactics and judgmental approaches that compromised the quality of treatment they received, and they felt that this was a barrier to them graduating the program. The findings are discussed in reference to drug court practice.

Journal Article 3: Holdsworth, E., Thorogood, N, Sorhaindo, A., & Nanchahal, K. (2017). A qualitative study of participant engagement with a weight loss intervention. Health Promotion Practice, 18(2), 245–252.

Abstract: Background. Overweight and obesity are major public health problems and an increasing global challenge. In lieu of wider policy changes to tackle the obesogenic environment in which we presently reside, improving the design of individual-level weight loss interventions is important. Aim. To identify which aspects of the Camden Weight Loss randomized controlled trial weight loss intervention participants engaged with, with the aim of improving the design of future studies and maximizing retention. Method. A qualitative study comprising semistructured interviews (n = 18) and a focus group (n = 5) with intervention participants. Results. Two important aspects of participant engagement with the intervention consistently emerged from interviews and focus group: the advisor–participant relationship and the program structure. Some materials used during the program sessions were important in supporting the intervention; however, others were not well received by participants. Conclusion. An individual-level weight loss intervention should be acceptable from the patient perspective in order to ensure participants are engaged with the program for as long as possible to maximize favorable results. Providing ongoing support in a long-term program with a trained empathetic advisor may be effective at engaging with people trying to lose weight in a weight loss intervention.