Counseling for Victimization

(IVY Trial)

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Lyndsay Jenkins, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Florida State University

Disqualifiers: Not middle school student, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help middle school students who have experienced peer victimization thrive academically and socially. The treatment, called IVY (Intervention for Victimized Youth), consists of an 8-week virtual group counseling program that focuses on overcoming emotional challenges and preventing future victimization. The trial includes two groups: one receiving the counseling and a control group that does not. Students in grades 6-8 who have faced bullying or similar incidents in the past month and feel significant emotional distress might be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides students with a unique opportunity to receive support and improve their well-being.

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 this counseling intervention is safe for youth?

Research shows that the IVY treatment uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a well-known method for addressing emotional challenges. CBT focuses on teaching skills to manage stress and prevent future problems.

Previous studies have shown that similar CBT-based programs are generally safe and well-tolerated. Participants often report positive experiences, such as feeling more supported and better able to handle their issues.

While specific safety data for IVY is not available, the widespread use and acceptance of CBT suggest that the treatment is likely safe. As a virtual group counseling program, IVY presents minimal risks compared to medical treatments. Participants can expect a supportive environment aimed at helping them thrive despite challenges. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a novel approach to helping individuals overcome victimization through virtual group counseling. Unlike traditional therapies that often require in-person sessions, this treatment is delivered entirely online, making it more accessible and convenient. The program is divided into two focused phases: the first half teaches skills to tackle emotional challenges, while the second half emphasizes strategies to prevent re-victimization. This dual focus and virtual format offer a fresh, flexible alternative to existing face-to-face counseling options.

What evidence suggests that the IVY intervention is effective for victimized youth?

Research has shown that the IVY (Intervention for Victimized Youth) program uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist young people who have been bullied. CBT helps individuals change their thinking patterns to better manage emotional challenges. In this trial, participants in the treatment arm will receive 8 weeks of group counseling in a virtual environment, focusing on overcoming emotional difficulties and avoiding re-victimization. Studies have found that this method can reduce the distress caused by bullying and teach skills to handle future bullying situations. Early results suggest that learning these skills can lead to fewer bullying experiences over time. Participants may also learn better ways to avoid being targeted again. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for middle school students in the US (grades 6-8) who have been bullied at least once in the past month and show high levels of emotional distress according to a specific screening test called BESS.

Inclusion Criteria

Experienced at least one instance of peer victimization in the past month

Has elevated or extremely elevated social-emotional distress score, as measured by the BESS (Behavior and Emotional Screening System)

I am a middle school student in grades 6, 7, or 8.

Exclusion Criteria

Not experienced victimization in the past month

No elevated score on BESS

I am not currently attending middle school.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants undergo an 8-week virtual group counseling intervention focusing on emotional difficulties and avoiding re-victimization

8 weeks

8 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in traumatic stress symptoms, social-emotional distress, and other outcomes

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• IVY

Trial Overview

The IVY program, which aims to help young victims of bullying thrive academically and socially through counseling, is being tested. The name symbolizes strength and growth despite adversity.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: 8 weeks of group counseling delivered in virtual environment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The treatment to be piloted is a 8 week virtual group counseling intervention with a focus on teaching participants skills to overcome emotional difficulties (Visit 1-4) and avoiding re-victimization (Visit 5-Visit 8).

Group II: control group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm do not receive the intervention at the same time as the treatment group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Florida State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

234

Recruited

41,100+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

This case study highlights the effectiveness of hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) in treating adolescents who have experienced violence, showcasing a comprehensive treatment approach that includes intensive case management and psychological support.

The patient demonstrated significant improvement, moving from physical recovery to posttraumatic growth, indicating that targeted psychological interventions like Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery can be crucial in helping young victims of violence heal emotionally and behaviorally.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial Treatment of an Adolescent in a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program. Krock, M., Burkhart, K., Barksdale, E.[2023]

The Stanford Cue-Centered Therapy (CCT) is a new, short-term psychotherapy designed for children who have experienced trauma, focusing on helping them cope with trauma-related cues.

Two case studies from a middle school in an inner-city neighborhood suggest that CCT is feasible and effective for high-risk youth, highlighting the potential for training school mental health personnel to implement this therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment manual for trauma-exposed youth: case studies. Carrion, VG., Hull, K.[2015]

Nearly 30% of ninth graders reported experiencing at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), which significantly increases their risk of involvement in school violence, either as victims, perpetrators, or both.

The study found a strong link between the number of ACEs and various forms of school violence, particularly highlighting that boys are especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of ACEs, suggesting the need for schools to implement screening and trauma-informed interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse Childhood Experiences and School-Based Victimization and Perpetration. Forster, M., Gower, AL., McMorris, BJ., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 15 youth victims of violence and 9 crime victim specialists, both groups preferred visual representations of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with high color-shading and descriptive elements, indicating a strong interest in engaging formats for data presentation.

The most valued domains for PROs included social, anger, emotional, school, physical, peer relations, and psychosocial well-being, while there was less interest in domains like positive affect and depression, highlighting specific areas of focus for future violence intervention programming.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Youth victim perspective: optimizing presentation of patient-reported outcomes in a violence intervention program. Hollo, A., Nimmer, M., Cheaton, B., et al.[2023]

Campus-based advocacy (CBA) programs significantly improve safety and academic outcomes for student survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as shown by a study involving 115 participants over 6 months.

Participants reported substantial reductions in experiences of violence and academic disengagement after engaging with CBA services, highlighting the programs' effectiveness in fostering a safer campus environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and Academic Outcomes of College Campus-Based Advocacy Services. Voth Schrag, RJ., Baumler, E., Hairston, D., et al.[2023]

Puerto Rican youth living in the South Bronx were found to be significantly more likely to report sexual victimization compared to their peers in Puerto Rico, with an odds ratio of 3.62, indicating a strong association with their minoritized status.

Factors such as being female, having parents with higher education, and living in the South Bronx were linked to increased reports of sexual victimization among youth, suggesting that both demographic and environmental factors play a role in vulnerability.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Longitudinal Study of Risk Factors for Sexual Victimization in Puerto Rican Youth. Fong, HF., Alvarez, K., Cruz-Gonzalez, M., et al.[2023]

The study analyzed data from a national sample of children aged 2 to 17, revealing that 18% experienced multiple forms of victimization (polyvictimization) in the past year.

Polyvictimization was found to be a strong predictor of increased trauma symptoms, suggesting that experiencing multiple types of victimization has a significant impact on children's mental health, overshadowing the effects of individual victimization experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyvictimization and trauma in a national longitudinal cohort. Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, RK., Turner, HA.[2021]

Only 22% of caretakers considered professional counseling for their child victims of serious assaults, and only 20% of those children actually received counseling, indicating a significant gap between consideration and action.

Factors influencing the likelihood of receiving counseling included the severity of symptoms, the parent-child relationship, and external influences such as school interventions, suggesting that both parental concern and institutional support play critical roles in facilitating mental health treatment for juvenile crime victims.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Which juvenile crime victims get mental health treatment? Kopiec, K., Finkelhor, D., Wolak, J.[2004]

Poly-victimization, or experiencing multiple types of victimization, significantly impacts college adjustment in females, accounting for unique variance beyond individual categories of childhood victimization.

While victimization does not predict GPA, it affects other aspects of college adjustment, highlighting the need for counselors to assess both poly-victimization and various adjustment domains in their clients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Childhood victimization, poly-victimization, and adjustment to college in women. Elliott, AN., Alexander, AA., Pierce, TW., et al.[2021]

The Safe Harbor program, aimed at reducing youth violence in East New York, includes a comprehensive curriculum and support services for students, with 115 participants in the experimental group and 879 in the comparison group, showing a significant need for intervention due to high exposure to violence and PTSD symptoms among students.

Preliminary findings indicate that over half of the students reported witnessing severe violence, highlighting the urgent need for programs that not only educate about nonviolence but also strengthen community and family relationships to mitigate the effects of violence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The cycle of violence and victimization: a study of the school-based intervention of a multidisciplinary youth violence-prevention program. Nadel, H., Spellmann, M., Alvarez-Canino, T., et al.[2022]

In a study of 132 adolescents aged 12-17, those who experienced multiple forms of victimization (polyvictimization) showed significantly worse psychological impairment and more severe symptoms of both externalizing and internalizing disorders.

The findings highlight the importance of considering a patient's history of victimization when assessing and treating adolescent outpatients, suggesting that tailored approaches may be necessary for those with higher levels of distress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyvictimization and its relationship to symptoms of psychopathology in a southern European sample of adolescent outpatients. Alvarez-Lister, MS., Pereda, N., Abad, J., et al.[2015]

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Peer defending - standing up for the person being bullied - is a very effective way to stop bullying. Although peers witness 85% of bullying, very few intervene ...

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This novel study sought to explore the lived experiences of adolescent victims of cyberbullying receiving counselling interventions during this period.