Strength at Home Program for Domestic Violence

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Casey T Taft, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Boston University

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12-20 weeks

800 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 Strength at Home treatment for domestic violence?

Research shows that the Strength at Home (SAH) program, a therapy designed to address intimate partner violence (IPV), has been effective in reducing IPV among military veterans and civilians. Participants in the program reported significant decreases in IPV and related issues like PTSD symptoms and alcohol use, with these improvements lasting for at least six months after treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Strength at Home treatment for domestic violence differ from other treatments?

The Strength at Home (SAH) program is unique because it is a trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioral group treatment specifically designed for military and veteran populations to address intimate partner violence (IPV). It focuses on reducing IPV by considering the unique experiences of veterans and service members, which is not commonly addressed in other IPV treatments. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing outcomes between two programs to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV)- the Strength at Home (SAH) program and a standard, state-approved IPV intervention program, Treatment as Usual (TAU). Primary outcomes will include self- and partner-reported physical and psychological IPV. Secondary outcomes will include self-reported PTSD symptoms, alexithymia, alcohol use problems, and treatment satisfaction, assessed across five time points.

Research Team

Casey T Taft, PhD

Principal Investigator

CABU School Medicine, Psychiatry

Lindsay Orchowski, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rhode Island Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men mandated by the Rhode Island court to undergo intervention for intimate partner violence (IPV) and their partners. There are no specific exclusion criteria mentioned, so it appears open to all individuals who meet the inclusion terms.

Inclusion Criteria

I am mandated by court to attend an IPV program in Rhode Island.

Exclusion Criteria

None

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomized to either the Strength at Home (SAH) program for 12 weeks or the Treatment as Usual (TAU) program for 20 weeks

12-20 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as IPV, PTSD symptoms, and treatment satisfaction every three months post-treatment through month 12

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• SAH
• TAU

Trial Overview The study compares two programs aimed at reducing IPV: 'Strength at Home' (SAH), a specialized program, against a standard state-approved intervention called 'Treatment as Usual' (TAU). It measures physical and psychological IPV effects, PTSD symptoms, emotional awareness issues, alcohol use problems, and satisfaction with treatment over time.

Participant Groups

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

SAH isa trauma-informed 12-week intimate partner violence (IPV) intervention program.

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

TAU is a 20-week state-approved IPV intervention program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

494

Recruited

9,998,000+

Rhode Island Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

275

Recruited

71,400+

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

592

Recruited

27,110,000+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

Telehealth programs designed to support family members of individuals with traumatic brain injury have shown positive outcomes in 15 studies, indicating their effectiveness and feasibility as a support method.

Despite the promising results, most studies lacked blinded assessors, highlighting the need for further research to compare telehealth with traditional face-to-face interventions and to enhance clinical decision-making.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supporting family members of people with traumatic brain injury using telehealth: a systematic review. Rietdijk, R., Togher, L., Power, E.[2019]

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 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]

References

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

Examining strength at home for preventing intimate partner violence in civilians. [2022]

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

Evaluation of the Strength at Home Group Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence in the Veterans Affairs Health System. [2023]

3. Sweden pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supporting family members of people with traumatic brain injury using telehealth: a systematic review. [2019]

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

Perceived changes in health and safety following participation in a health care-based domestic violence program. [2016]

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

Occupational Needs and Goals of Survivors of Domestic Violence. [2016]

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

"Strength at Home" Intervention for Male Veterans Perpetrating Intimate Partner Aggression: Perceived Needs Survey of Therapists and Pilot Effectiveness Study. [2018]

7. England 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. [2019]

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

A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of the Strength at Home Men's Program for Partner Violence in Military Veterans. [2022]