Psychological advocacy towards healing (PATH): A randomized controlled trial of a psychological intervention in a domestic violence service setting.

Emma Howarth,Sandra Hollinghurst,Gene Feder,Tim J. Peters,Michele Kiely,Louise Howard,Debbie Sharp,Giulia Ferrari,Roxane Agnew-Davies,Lynnmarie Sardinha,Jayne E. Bailey

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205485

Abstract

BackgroundExperience of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is associated with mental illness. Advocacy has little effect on mental health outcomes of female DVA survivors and there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of psychological interventions for this population.ObjectiveTo test effectiveness of a psychological intervention delivered by advocates to DVA survivors.Design, masking, setting, participantsPragmatic parallel group individually randomized controlled trial of normal DVA advocacy vs. advocacy + psychological intervention. Statistician and researchers blinded to group assignment. Setting: specialist DVA agencies; two UK cities. Participants: Women aged 16 years and older accessing DVA services.InterventionEight specialist psychological advocacy (SPA) sessions with two follow up sessions.MeasurementsPrimary outcomes at 12 months: depression symptoms (PHQ-9) and psychological distress (CORE-OM). Primary analysis: intention to treat linear (logistic) regression model for continuous (binary) outcomes.Results263 women recruited (78 in shelter/refuge, 185 in community), 2 withdrew (1 community, control group; 1 intervention, refuge group), 1 was excluded from the study for protocol violation (community, control group), 130 in intervention and 130 in control groups. Recruitment ended June 2013. 12-month follow up: 64%. At 12-month follow up greater improvement in mental health of women in the intervention group. Difference in average CORE-OM score between intervention and control groups: -3.3 points (95% CI -5.5 to -1.2). Difference in average PHQ-9 score between intervention and control group: -2.2 (95% CI -4.1 to -0.3). At 12 months, 35% of the intervention group and 55% of the control group were above the CORE-OM -2clinical threshold (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.64); 29% of the intervention group and 46% of the control group were above the PHQ-9 clinical threshold (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.81),Limitations64% retention at 12 monthsConclusionsAn eight-session psychological intervention delivered by DVA advocates produced clinically relevant improvement in mental health outcomes compared with normal advocacy care.Trial registrationISRCTN registry ISRCTN58561170Original Research3675/3750

Highlights

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a common violation of human rights that damages physical and mental health
The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Service, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), or the Department of Health
At 12 months, 35% of the intervention group and 55% of the control group were above the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation–Outcome Measure [20] (CORE-OM) -2clinical threshold; 29% of the intervention group and 46% of the control group were above the PHQ-9 clinical threshold, Limitations

Summary

Background

Experience of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is associated with mental illness. Advocacy has little effect on mental health outcomes of female DVA survivors and there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of psychological interventions for this population.

Objective

Results

Introduction

Methods

Study design and participants

Funding and conflict of interest

Strengths and limitations