Single-Session Intervention for Domestic Violence

Overseen By Ashley Clayton, MA

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric instability, Conservator, English, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

65 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a brief, self-guided online session designed to boost hope and well-being in women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). The session, called the Single-session intervention (SSI), lasts about 30-45 minutes and will be evaluated for effectiveness and user satisfaction. Women in relationships involving physical violence who have a compatible smartphone can participate. The goal is to determine if this simple session can enhance hope, self-worth, and emotional health. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to innovative research that could provide new hope and support for women facing IPV.

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 intervention is safe for women experiencing intimate partner violence?

Research shows that single-session interventions (SSIs) are generally safe for improving mental health. Unlike traditional therapy, SSIs are short and effective, involving just one meeting.

Past studies indicate that people have responded well to SSIs, with no major safety issues or negative side effects reported. For those experiencing domestic violence, SSIs aim to increase hope and emotional well-being.

Although this particular SSI is new, other SSIs have demonstrated positive results without causing harm, indicating they are generally safe to use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Single-Session Intervention for domestic violence because it offers a new approach to supporting individuals through a quick, self-guided method. Unlike traditional therapy, which can require multiple sessions over weeks or months, this intervention is delivered in just 30-45 minutes via a web browser. This accessibility and brevity make it a potentially game-changing option for individuals who might not have the time or resources for regular therapy sessions. Plus, by promoting hope in a single session, it could provide immediate emotional support, making it an appealing alternative for those in urgent need of assistance.

What evidence suggests that this single-session intervention is effective for increasing hope among women experiencing intimate partner violence?

Research has shown that single-session interventions (SSI), which participants in this trial will receive, can enhance hope and emotional wellbeing for women facing intimate partner violence (IPV). These 30-45 minute online sessions aim to boost feelings of hope, self-worth, and empowerment. Early findings suggest that women who participate in SSIs often feel more hopeful and empowered, leading to better emotional health. This method is designed to be quick yet effective, offering a meaningful first step towards recovery and resilience. While researchers continue to study SSIs, early results are promising for improving mental wellbeing in IPV survivors. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Tami Sullivan, PhD

Principal Investigator

Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women who are experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). It aims to help them develop or increase feelings of hope. Participants should be interested in a self-guided, one-time session designed to improve their emotional wellbeing.

Inclusion Criteria

I identify as a woman.

I have a smartphone that can run the MyCap app.

I have been in a relationship for 3+ months and experienced physical abuse from a male partner.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not comfortable with English for conversation, reading, or writing.

Have experienced significant psychiatric instability based on self-reported inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the past 3 months

Reports having a conservator of person

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a baseline interview and self-report measures to characterize the sample and collect data on control variables

1 day

1 visit (virtual)

Pre-Intervention Monitoring

Participants complete daily self-reports of hope, self-worth, empowerment, and emotional wellbeing for 14 days before the intervention

2 weeks

Daily self-reports (virtual)

Intervention

Participants complete a 30-45 minute self-guided single-session intervention to promote hope

1 day

1 session (virtual)

Post-Intervention Monitoring

Participants complete daily self-reports of hope, self-worth, empowerment, and emotional wellbeing for 14 days after the intervention

2 weeks

Daily self-reports (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Single-session intervention (SSI)

Trial Overview The study is testing a brief, self-guided single-session intervention (SSI) focused on fostering hope. The pilot stage will assess how feasible and safe the SSI is, and if it's liked by participants. It also looks at its effect on hope, self-worth, empowerment, and overall emotional health.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Single-Session Intervention to Promote Hope Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A 30-45 minute self-guided intervention delivered in a web browser.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

70+

Center for Family Justice

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

70+

Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

70+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The HOPE treatment combined with standard shelter services showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms related to intimate partner violence, with only 2 out of 30 participants dropping out, indicating high acceptability and feasibility.

Participants receiving HOPE also experienced reductions in depression severity and increased empowerment, with more women employed at follow-ups compared to those receiving standard services alone, suggesting that HOPE may enhance overall well-being for women in shelters.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of Adding Treatment of PTSD During and After Shelter Stay to Standard Care in Residents of Battered Women's Shelters: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Johnson, DM., Johnson, NL., Perez, SK., et al.[2019]

The HOPE program is a new short-term cognitive-behavioral treatment designed specifically for battered women in shelters suffering from PTSD, focusing on stabilization, safety, and empowerment.

This treatment aims to equip women with skills to manage their PTSD symptoms, which can hinder their ability to access community resources and ensure long-term safety for themselves and their children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HOPE for battered women with PTSD in domestic violence shelters. Johnson, DM., Zlotnick, C.[2021]

Women who engaged with Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services reported positive safety outcomes, indicating the effectiveness of this intervention for those experiencing severe domestic abuse.

Increased frequency of contact with IDVAs and accessing more community resources were linked to higher chances of achieving safety, suggesting that ongoing support and resource connection are crucial for women in these situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Responding Effectively to Women Experiencing Severe Abuse: Identifying Key Components of a British Advocacy Intervention. Howarth, E., Robinson, A.[2016]

A pilot study involving 24 women in a domestic violence shelter found that a social support intervention significantly reduced psychological distress and improved perceived social support compared to a control group.

The intervention group also showed lower health care utilization, indicating that social support can lead to better health outcomes for women in shelters.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a social support intervention on health outcomes in residents of a domestic violence shelter: a pilot study. Constantino, R., Kim, Y., Crane, PA.[2022]

The Hope Intervention Program (HIP) was evaluated with 38 adults experiencing their first recurrence of cancer, showing that it effectively helped participants rebuild and maintain hope over time.

Participants engaged with various strategies from the HIP that aligned with the four attributes of hope, indicating that the program can be a valuable tool for nurses to support patients emotionally during challenging times.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and implementation of a Hope Intervention Program. Herth, KA.[2022]

The article outlines effective methods for substance abuse treatment agencies to identify and address intimate partner violence among their clients, emphasizing the importance of screening and intervention.

It introduces evidence-based brief interventions and tools, such as a 2-minute domestic violence screening and safety planning strategies, to enhance the safety and treatment compliance of individuals affected by both substance abuse and domestic violence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Substance abuse interface with intimate partner violence: what treatment programs need to know. Brackley, MH., Williams, GB., Wei, CC.[2015]

In a study of 57 patients with substance use disorder (SUD) who experienced physical and/or sexual abuse, those who completed a trauma-focused treatment showed improved retention in their SUD treatment, suggesting that addressing past trauma can enhance treatment adherence.

Although the treatment group had a lower dropout rate (37.9%) compared to the control group (50.0%), the difference was not statistically significant, indicating that while trauma treatment may help, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in reducing dropout rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a trauma intervention on reducing dropout from substance use disorder treatment. López-Goñi, JJ., Haro, B., Fernández-Montalvo, J., et al.[2021]

The domestic violence home-visit intervention (DVHVI) significantly increased the likelihood of women contacting the police for subsequent incidents, as evidenced by a study of 512 cases tracked over 12 months.

Hispanic women who received support from Spanish-speaking advocate-officer teams were particularly proactive in utilizing services and reporting further incidents, highlighting the importance of culturally tailored interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The domestic violence home-visit intervention: impact on police-reported incidents of repeat violence over 12 months. Stover, CS., Poole, G., Marans, S.[2022]

A quality improvement initiative at a Level I trauma center successfully increased the number of patients screened for alcohol use from 47% to 86% over one year, demonstrating the effectiveness of structured interventions.

The implementation of a resident 'champion' and integration of screening into trauma protocols led to significant increases in patients receiving brief interventions, highlighting the importance of systematic approaches in improving alcohol screening and intervention rates in trauma settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a Quality Improvement Intervention to Increase Brief Alcohol and Drug Interventions on a Level I Trauma Service. Thomas, P., Seale, JP., Johnson, JA., et al.[2017]

Community-based responses that incorporate survivor-defined advocacy can effectively prevent further abuse by tailoring safety plans and resources to individual needs.

Interviews with 26 domestic violence victim advocates revealed that the effectiveness of protective orders varies by case, and advocates use survivor-defined practices to address specific needs, enhancing safety for battered women.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Survivor-defined practices to mitigate revictimization of battered women in the protective order process. Nichols, AJ.[2013]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-violence-domestic-3-2024-afd7c

Single-Session Intervention for Domestic Violence The article outlines effective methods for substance abuse treatment agencies to identify and address intimate partner violence among their clients, emphasizing ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/W0Zmq2utVU-q8EVdVNkoRQ/project-details/10887227

patel, anushka rajesh - NIH RePORTER Designing and evaluating a Single-session Transdiagnostic intervention for Emotion Regulation with follow-up mHealth support for domestic violence survivors in ...

3. ichgcp.net ichgcp.net/amp/clinical-trials-registry/NCT06375876

Single-session intervention (SSI) in Domestic Violence Hope as a Path to Healing: Developing a Single-Session Intervention for Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence. The purpose of this study is to ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4190022/

Evaluation of a Single-Session Brief Motivational ... Thus, ambivalence may reflect either uncertainty about the relative costs and benefits of reducing violent behavior or apathy towards the severity of an abusive ...

5. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01612840590959416

EFFECTS OF A SOCIAL SUPPORT INTERVENTION ON ... The goal of the review was to assess the effectiveness of prevention strategies, usually measured by ongoing abuse, counseling, further visits ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/10/1008

Improvements in Safety Outcomes Following Brief ... Background: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a common consequence of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV-related TBI contributes to adverse ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1515440/full

The potential of single session intervention approaches to ... Single-session interventions (SSIs) are mental health (MH) interventions that intentionally involve a single encounter. In this commentary, we outline ...