Strength at Home Program for Domestic Violence

Overseen By Casey Taft, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Boston University

Disqualifiers: Active psychosis, Suicidal ideation, Incarceration, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 12 months

800 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effectiveness of a program called Strength at Home (SAH) in reducing intimate partner violence (IPV). It compares this new approach to the usual IPV interventions in Washington state. The study examines the frequency of violence, participant satisfaction with the treatment, and changes in issues like PTSD symptoms or alcohol use. Men court-referred for IPV intervention in Washington and their partners can participate. The trial seeks men who have been court-ordered to attend an IPV program and their partners. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative approaches in IPV intervention.

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 prior data suggests that the Strength at Home program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that the Strength at Home (SAH) program is generally safe for participants. This program, which addresses intimate partner violence (IPV), receives positive feedback from those involved. Participants have reported reduced violent behavior without major side effects.

There is no need to worry about unexpected side effects. The program focuses on changing behavior through structured sessions, not medications or physical treatments, which reduces the likelihood of harm. In past evaluations, participants did not report any major negative experiences with the program. Overall, SAH provides a supportive and safe environment for those seeking to reduce IPV. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Strength at Home (SAH) program because it offers a trauma-informed approach to addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), which is different from the standard intervention programs typically used. This program specifically focuses on understanding and healing the trauma underlying abusive behaviors, potentially leading to more effective long-term change than traditional methods. By addressing the root causes of violence rather than just the symptoms, SAH aims to reduce recidivism and improve relationship dynamics, offering hope for more sustainable outcomes in IPV situations.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing intimate partner violence?

Research shows that the Strength at Home (SAH) program, which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce violence between partners. Studies have found that people in the SAH program report fewer instances of physical and emotional aggression toward their partners. One study discovered that those in SAH experienced a greater reduction in partner violence compared to other programs. Additionally, SAH has been linked to fewer symptoms of PTSD and problems related to alcohol use in participants. Overall, evidence suggests that SAH could be a promising choice for those wanting to reduce violent behaviors in relationships. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Casey Taft, PhD

Principal Investigator

BU School of Medicine and National Center for PTSD

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for men court-referred for intimate partner violence (IPV) intervention in Washington state who consent to partner contact. It also includes women who are or were partners involved in IPV incidents with these men.

Inclusion Criteria

I agree to let the research team contact my partner(s) for the study.

I have been referred by a court for IPV intervention in Washington state.

I have been involved in an IPV incident with someone who was court-referred.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the Strength at Home (SAH) intervention or Treatment as Usual (TAU) for intimate partner violence

12 months

Baseline and 4 follow-up assessments at 3-month intervals

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Strength at Home (SAH)
• Treatment as usual for IPV

Trial Overview The study tests the Strength at Home (SAH) program against standard IPV interventions (TAU). Participants will be randomly assigned to either SAH or TAU and followed up every three months to assess IPV frequency, PTSD symptoms, alexithymia, alcohol use problems, and treatment satisfaction.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Strength at Home (SAH) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized into this arm with receive a trauma-informed intimate partner violence (IPV) intervention program.

Group II: Treatment as Usual (TAU) Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized into this arm with receive a standard IPV intervention program in the state of Washington.

Strength at Home (SAH) is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Strength at Home for:

• Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) prevention and treatment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

494

Recruited

9,998,000+

Office of Crime Victims Advocacy - Washington State Department of Commerce

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

800+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A scoping review of 43 studies on intimate partner violence (IPV) assistance programs in healthcare settings found that programs offering a single type of active assistance, such as counseling or advocacy, were associated with positive outcomes in 77.8% of cases.

Programs delivered by counselors or case managers and those consisting of more than five sessions showed even higher effectiveness, with 100% of such studies reporting positive results, highlighting the importance of structured and supportive interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A scoping review of intimate partner violence assistance programmes within health care settings. Sprague, S., Scott, T., Garibaldi, A., et al.[2022]

The Strength at Home (SAH) intervention significantly reduced physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) among 23 court-mandated men, with improvements maintained at 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

Participants reported high satisfaction with the SAH program, which also showed effectiveness in addressing related issues like PTSD symptoms and alcohol use problems, suggesting its potential as a comprehensive intervention for IPV in civilian populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining strength at home for preventing intimate partner violence in civilians. Taft, CT., Franz, MR., Cole, HE., et al.[2022]

A study involving 70 participants evaluated the effectiveness of on-site transitional housing and community-based rapid rehousing for individuals made homeless due to intimate partner violence (IPV), showing significant improvements in both IPV revictimization and housing stability after 6 months (P < .001).

The findings suggest that providing safe and affordable housing through IPV service providers not only enhances safety for survivors but also serves as an effective prevention strategy against future IPV incidents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safe and Stable Housing for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors, Maryland, 2019‒2020. Decker, MR., Grace, KT., Holliday, CN., et al.[2023]

The Strength at Home (SAH) program, a 12-week cognitive-behavioral treatment for veterans, significantly reduced reported instances of physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) among 51 veterans who completed the program.

Veterans expressed high satisfaction with the SAH program, but there were challenges in timely implementation, with an average delay of about 136 days from training to the start of group sessions, indicating a need for improved support and reduced barriers to implementation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

National implementation of a trauma-informed intervention for intimate partner violence in the Department of Veterans Affairs: first year outcomes. Creech, SK., Benzer, JK., Ebalu, T., et al.[2019]

The Strength at Home (SAH) intervention, implemented in the VA health system, significantly reduced both physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) among 1754 veterans, indicating its effectiveness in addressing aggression in relationships.

Participants also experienced reductions in PTSD symptoms and alcohol misuse, suggesting that SAH not only helps with IPV but also improves overall mental health and substance use, making it a valuable program for integration into routine healthcare.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of the Strength at Home Group Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence in the Veterans Affairs Health System. Creech, SK., Benzer, JK., Bruce, L., et al.[2023]

The Strength at Home Men's Program (SAH-M) significantly reduced both physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) among 135 male veterans/service members compared to those receiving enhanced treatment as usual, with notable improvements observed at 3 and 6 months post-intervention.

SAH-M specifically decreased controlling behaviors, such as isolation and monitoring of partners, indicating its effectiveness in addressing various forms of psychological IPV.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of the Strength at Home Men's Program for Partner Violence in Military Veterans. Taft, CT., Macdonald, A., Creech, SK., et al.[2022]

Citations

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2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8591632/

Examining Strength at Home for Preventing Intimate ... The Strength at Home (SAH) intervention, a trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioral intervention for intimate partner violence (IPV) was examined in a sample ...

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2802385

Strength at Home Group Intervention for Intimate Partner ... Question Is the Strength at Home (SAH) intervention associated with reductions in intimate partner violence (IPV) in an implementation ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/12/1127

Examining Virtual Delivery of Strength at Home for Intimate ... IPV was assessed using questions derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NIPSVS) ...

5. strengthathome.org strengthathome.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Taft-JBLM-2024-43297-001.pdf

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Objectives: In this study, the effectiveness of a couples-based group intervention to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV), Strength at Home ...

6. ajpmonline.org ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(23)00343-4/fulltext

Promoting the Use of Evidence-Based Practice for Those ... Intimate partner violence (IPV), typically defined as physical, sexual, or psychological aggression toward a relationship partner, including ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551714424003586

A trauma informed intervention for intimate partner violence ... Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of strength at home in Israel: A trauma informed intervention for intimate partner violence based on a social- ...