Helping parents and young children heal after domestic violence

'Effectively Intervening in Traumatized Parents and Children After Structural Domestic Violence: A Multiple Baseline Analysis'

This study is testing a personalized treatment plan to help parents and their young children heal from the effects of domestic violence and see how it improves their PTSD symptoms and parenting over time.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 10 (estimated)
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Universiteit Leiden (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Amsterdam)
• Trial ID: NCT06065865 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates an individualized treatment approach for parents and their young children who have experienced domestic violence. It focuses on tailoring the order of trauma therapies, including EMDR for both parents and children, and attachment-based therapy to meet the specific needs of each family. The study aims to understand how PTSD symptoms and parenting behaviors evolve over time as families undergo this customized treatment. By using a randomized multiple baseline design, the research seeks to identify the most effective sequence of interventions for optimal recovery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include non-offending parents and their children aged 4-6 who are living in a community shelter due to severe domestic violence and exhibit clinically significant PTSD symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients with extreme mental health issues, such as psychosis, that hinder their ability to participate in the intervention will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the mental health and parenting skills of affected families, leading to better outcomes for both parents and children.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited knowledge on effective interventions for these families, similar approaches have shown promise in addressing trauma-related issues in other contexts.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* The non-offending parent and child are residing in a community shelter because of a combination of problems that includes severe domestic violence
* The child is aged between 4-6 years old (if there is more than 1 child in this age range in the family, the parent will be asked to report on the symptoms of both children, and the child with the most severe PTSD symptoms will participate)
* The parent experiences clinically important PTSD-symptoms, as defined by a PCL-score of ≥31
* The child experiences PTSD-symptoms on a clinical level, as defined by a CATS-score of ≥15

Exclusion Criteria:

* Parents with extreme mental health problems (e.g., psychosis) that directly affect their ability to participate in an intervention and require immediate intervention for the parent

Where this trial is running

Amsterdam

• HVO Querido — Amsterdam, Netherlands (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Willemien van den Dorpel

Conditions: Domestic Violence, PTSD, domestic violence, trauma, attachment, individualized treatment