No Longer an Island: A Social Network Intervention Engaging Black Men Through CBPR.

The aim of this study was to assess outcomes from a multilevel social network intervention to promote the health of Black men. Through a community-academic collaboration and using a participatory research approach, we implemented the intervention over 4 years in a 110-block area of an urban neighborhood. The project aimed to implement a neighborhood peer outreach and leadership network to strengthen social support of Black men and increase community and family engagement. Intervention activities included three 12-month intergenerational peer support groups ( = 46), a door-to-door outreach campaign ( = 186), media and communication efforts, and a community partner network. Primary outcomes for the peer support groups were measured using a pretest/posttest cohort design and included social support, perceived stress, social capital, and global self-esteem. Primary outcomes for the door-to-door outreach campaign were measured using a repeated cross-sectional design and included a sense of community, neighborhood social interaction, perceived neighborhood control, and self-rated health status. Significant findings from the peer support groups included an increase in social support overall ( = .027), driven by improvements in guidance, reliable alliance, and reassurance of worth; and an improvement in perceived stress ( = .047). Significant findings from the door-to-door outreach campaign included increases in neighborhood social interaction ( < .0001) and perceived neighborhood control ( = .036). This project provides evidence that a participatory approach to planning and delivering a health promotion intervention aimed at creating positive social spaces and enhancing social connections can result in significant outcomes and successful engagement of Black men.