APPS Intervention for Domestic Violence Prevention

(APPS Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

20000 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study evaluates exposure to California's Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) and risk of future violence and other important outcome events among individuals who legally purchased firearms in the past but have since become prohibited from owning them. The main hypothesis is that APPS will be associated with a significant reduction in risk for future violence among individuals who are directly affected.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the APPS intervention treatment for domestic violence prevention?

The effectiveness of mobile applications in addressing domestic violence is supported by research on similar apps like DOMINO and Thrive, which have been found user-friendly and informative, helping users access resources and improve well-being. Additionally, the myPlan app has shown value in empowering women to make safety decisions, indicating that mobile interventions can be effective in domestic violence prevention. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the APPS intervention for domestic violence prevention safe for humans?

The studies reviewed focus on the usability and effectiveness of smartphone apps for domestic violence prevention, but they do not report any safety concerns for users. These apps are generally considered safe as they provide information and resources to help users make informed decisions about their safety. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How does the APPS intervention treatment for domestic violence prevention differ from other treatments?

The APPS intervention is unique because it utilizes mobile health (mHealth) technology, specifically smartphone applications, to provide education and resources for domestic violence prevention. This approach allows for easy access to information and tools, making it more accessible and convenient compared to traditional in-person interventions. ^{1 3 6 10 11}

Research Team

Garen J Wintemute, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults in California who previously bought firearms legally but can't own them anymore due to certain events like felony convictions, violent misdemeanors, mental illness-related hospitalizations, or being under a domestic violence restraining order.

Inclusion Criteria

I own a firearm and have had a legal issue that prohibits me from owning it.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention Implementation

APPS intervention is implemented in randomized communities to identify and recover firearms from prohibited individuals

Up to 3 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as arrests, restraining orders, and hospitalizations

Up to 3 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

• APPS intervention

Trial Overview The study is testing the impact of California's Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS), which aims to reduce future violence by preventing individuals with prohibiting events from owning firearms.

Participant Groups

Group I: Group 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

APPS intervention will be implemented in Group 1 communities prior to implementation in Group 2 communities.

Group II: Group 2 Active Control 1 Intervention

APPS intervention will be implemented in Group 2 communities following implementation in Group 1 communities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Stanford University

Collaborator

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Northeastern University

Collaborator

Trials

103

Recruited

72,600+

Rutgers University

Collaborator

Trials

127

Recruited

2,814,000+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 422 women experiencing intimate partner violence, the online interactive tool I-DECIDE did not significantly improve self-efficacy or reduce depressive symptoms compared to a standard information website over 12 months.

Despite the lack of measurable differences in outcomes, qualitative feedback suggested that participants found the I-DECIDE tool supportive and motivating, indicating potential value in further developing online interventions for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An online healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid for women experiencing intimate partner violence (I-DECIDE): a randomised controlled trial. Hegarty, K., Tarzia, L., Valpied, J., et al.[2020]

A computerized safety decision aid was tested with 90 abused women in shelters, helping them assess their risk for lethal violence and create personalized safety plans, which they found useful and private.

After using the decision aid, women reported feeling more supported in their safety decisions and experienced significantly less decisional conflict, indicating that the tool effectively improved the safety planning process.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Computerized aid improves safety decision process for survivors of intimate partner violence. Glass, N., Eden, KB., Bloom, T., et al.[2021]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"DOMINO - Stop Domestic Violence". An Educational Mobile Application. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thrive: A Novel Health Education Mobile Application for Mothers Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile applications addressing violence against women: a systematic review. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adapting the myPlan safety app to respond to intimate partner violence for women in low and middle income country settings: app tailoring and randomized controlled trial protocol. [2020]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An online healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid for women experiencing intimate partner violence (I-DECIDE): a randomised controlled trial. [2020]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smartphone Apps for Domestic Violence Prevention: A Systematic Review. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A mixed-methods evaluation of college student and provider perspectives on a smartphone application for help-seeking after violence. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Longitudinal Impact of the myPlan App on Health and Safety Among College Women Experiencing Partner Violence. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Computerized aid improves safety decision process for survivors of intimate partner violence. [2021]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-Based and mHealth Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Prevention: A Systematic Review. [2021]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-based and mHealth interventions for intimate partner violence prevention: a systematic review protocol. [2020]