Community intervention for children affected by intimate partner violence

MISC-IPV: a Community-Based Intervention for Children Traumatized by Intimate Partner Violence

This study is testing a new support program for African American women and their children who have experienced domestic violence to see if it helps improve their caregiving and overall well-being.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 132 (estimated)
• Ages: 7 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Houston (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Houston, Texas)
• Trial ID: NCT05948631 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This intervention adapts the Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) to support women and children of color who have experienced domestic violence. The study aims to enhance maternal caregiving capacity through a program delivered by paraprofessional caseworkers. It follows a three-phase approach that includes adaptation, process evaluation, and outcome/mediator evaluation to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the MISC-IPV intervention. The focus is on African American women and their children, with the goal of creating a scalable community-based model for addressing the effects of intimate partner violence on children.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include African American mothers enrolled in a domestic violence rehousing program with children aged 7-11 who have been exposed to domestic violence.

Not a fit: Patients who are actively suicidal, have an intellectual disability, or are experiencing an active psychotic disorder may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the emotional and psychological well-being of children traumatized by intimate partner violence.

How similar studies have performed: While similar interventions have been explored, this specific adaptation for IPV-affected families is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Mother inclusion criteria:

1. Enrolled in Harris County Domestic Violence rehousing program
2. Fluency in English

Mother exclusion criteria:

1. Active suicidality
2. Intellectual disability
3. Active psychotic disorder

Child inclusion criteria:

1. Exposure to domestic violence
2. 7-11 years old in a family

Child exclusion criteria:

1. Intelligence quotient below 75,
2. Active psychosis
3. Severe autism
4. Below age 7 or above age 11

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas

• University of Houston — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Carla Sharp — [e-mail]
• Study coordinator: Carla Sharp, Ph.D.

Conditions MISC Intervention; Treatment As Usual