“Strength at Home” Intervention to Prevent Conflict and Violence in Military Couples: Pilot Findings

Partner Abuse ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey T. Taft ◽  
Jamie Howard ◽  
Candice M. Monson ◽  
Sherry M. Walling ◽  
Patricia A. Resick ◽  
...  

In this article, we report on a pilot study of Strength at Home-Couples (SAH-C), a 10-session cognitive-behavioral couples-based group intervention designed to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) in military couples. The primary purposes of this pilot study were to determine feasibility of recruiting, retaining, and assessing SAH-C participants in addition to those participating in a comparison Supportive Therapy (ST) group-based couples intervention. Recruitment was challenging for this pilot study and we report on several barriers to recruitment as well as “lessons learned” for enhancing recruitment and overall intervention efforts. Preliminary pilot data were promising with respect to reductions and prevention of IPV in those receiving the SAH-C intervention. Initial results for the secondary intervention targets were less favorable for the SAH-C intervention, with effect sizes suggesting a trend in which relationship satisfaction increased more in the ST intervention.

Partner Abuse ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-484
Author(s):  
Katherine E. Gnall ◽  
Hannah E. Cole ◽  
Suzannah K. Creech ◽  
Casey T. Taft

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent issue among veteran populations. Strength at Home (SAH) is a 12-week cognitive behavioral and trauma-informed group intervention shown to reduce IPV among veterans via a randomized controlled trial and several implementation and pilot studies. The program is currently being implemented nationally in the Department of Veterans Affairs, with initial data showing that clients evidence significant reductions in physical and psychological IPV, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and alcohol misuse. The present study explored the subjective experience of veterans who participated in SAH during this rollout. Following their final group session, participants completed a treatment satisfaction survey. A qualitative thematic analysis of 291 surveys was conducted to evaluate (a) if SAH led participants to pursue other intervention; (b) what participants perceived as most beneficial about the program; (c) what participants perceived as least beneficial about the program; and (d) the ways in which SAH impacted their lives. These evaluations shed light on which aspects of the program may be most and least impactful, which may be utilized to modify and enhance the SAH program to best address the needs of individuals using and experiencing IPV.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey T. Taft ◽  
Alexandra Macdonald ◽  
Candice M. Monson ◽  
Sherry M. Walling ◽  
Patricia A. Resick ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia O'Campo ◽  
Alisa Velonis ◽  
Pearl Buhariwala ◽  
Janisha Kamalanathan ◽  
Maha Awaiz Hassan

BACKGROUND The popularity of mHealth technology has resulted in the development of numerous applications for almost every type of self-improvement or disease management. M- and e-health solutions for increasing awareness about and safety around partner violence is no exception. OBJECTIVE These applications allow women to control access to these resources and provide unlimited, and with the right design features, safe access when these resources are needed. Few applications, however, have been designed in close collaboration with intended users to ensure relevance and effectiveness. METHODS We report here on the design of a pair of evidence-based m- and e-health applications to facilitate early identification of unsafe relationship behaviors and tailored safety planning to reduce harm from violence including the methods by which we collaborated with and sought input from population of intended users. RESULTS The demographic characteristics of those who participated in the various surveys and interviews to inform the development of our screening and safety-decision support app are presented in (Table 2). CONCLUSIONS Finally, we share challenges we faced and lessons learned that might inform future design efforts of m- and e-health evidence-based applications.


Author(s):  
Olivia M. Seecof ◽  
Molly Allanoff ◽  
John Liantonio ◽  
Susan Parks

Purpose: There is a dearth of literature regarding the documentation of advance care planning (ACP) in the geriatric population, despite the controversial, yet well-studied need for ACP. The purpose of this pilot study was to provide an update to a prior study from our institution that outlined the need for increased documentation of advance care planning (ACP) in an urban geriatric population. Methods: Our study involved using telemedicine to conduct dedicated ACP visits and an electronic medical record (EMR) note-template specifically designed for these visits in an attempt to increase the amount of documented ACP in the EMR in this population. Results: The study did not yield significant results due to the inability to schedule enough patients for these dedicated visits. Discussion: While our study was ultimately unsuccessful, 3 crucial lessons were identified that will inform and fuel future interventions by the authors to further the study of documentation of ACP.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nduka C. Okwose ◽  
Leah Avery ◽  
Nicola O’Brien ◽  
Sophie Cassidy ◽  
Sarah J. Charman ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Less than 10% of heart failure patients in the UK participate in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The present pilot study evaluated feasibility, acceptability and physiological effects of a novel, personalised, home-based physical activity intervention in chronic heart failure. Methods Twenty patients (68 ± 7 years old, 20% females) with stable chronic heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (31 ± 8 %) participated in a single-group, pilot study assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week personalised home-based physical activity intervention aiming to increase daily number of steps by 2000 from baseline (Active-at-Home-HF). Patients completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with non-invasive gas exchange and haemodynamic measurements and quality of life questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Patients were supported weekly via telephone and average weekly step count data collected using pedometers. Results Forty-three patients were screened and 20 recruited into the study. Seventeen patients (85%) completed the intervention, and 15 (75%) achieved the target step count. Average step count per day increased significantly from baseline to 3 weeks by 2546 (5108 ± 3064 to 7654 ± 3849, P = 0.03, n = 17) and was maintained until week 12 (9022 ± 3942). Following completion of the intervention, no adverse events were recorded and quality of life improved by 4 points (26 ± 18 vs. 22 ± 19). Peak exercise stroke volume increased by 19% (127 ± 34 vs. 151 ± 34 m/beat, P = 0.05), while cardiac index increased by 12% (6.8 ± 1.5 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 L/min/m2, P = 0.19). Workload and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold also increased by 16% (49 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 14 watts, P = 0.01) and 10% (11.5 ± 2.9 vs. 12.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min, P = 0.39). Conclusion The Active-at-Home-HF intervention is feasible, acceptable and effective for increasing physical activity in CHF. It may lead to improvements in quality of life, exercise tolerance and haemodynamic function. Trial Registration www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT0367727. Retrospectively registered on 17 September 2018.


Author(s):  
David P. Cenkner ◽  
Peter D. Yeomans ◽  
Chris J. Antal ◽  
J. Cobb Scott

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (sup1) ◽  
pp. 219-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred C. Marcus ◽  
Jerianne Heimendinger ◽  
Ellen Berman ◽  
Victor Strecher ◽  
Mary Anne Bright ◽  
...  

Partner Abuse ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea A. Madsen ◽  
Sandra M. Stith ◽  
Cynthia J. Thomsen ◽  
Eric E. McCollum

Little information is available about couples experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) who voluntarily seek couples therapy. We examined the characteristics of 129 couples who sought therapy for IPV to learn more about this population. A majority of the sample, 74%, experienced bilateral physical violence, 16% experienced unilateral male violence, and 5% experienced unilateral female violence. Conflict theory is used to explain the finding that couples experiencing bilateral violence reported higher levels of physical violence and injury than did those experiencing unilateral violence. Bilaterally violent couples also experienced more jealousy and psychological aggression and less relationship satisfaction than either group of unilaterally violent couples. Implications and suggestions for clinicians are offered, as well as ideas for future research.


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