RISE Versus Advocacy-based Enhanced Care as Usual for Patients Experiencing IPV

Recovering From IPV Through Strengths and Empowerment (RISE) Versus Advocacy-based Enhanced Care as Usual for Patients Experiencing IPV

This study aims to improve treatment for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients who experience intimate partner violence (IPV). This study will evaluate two brief counseling interventions for VHA patients who have experienced IPV in the past 12 months: Recovering from IPV through Strength and Empowerment (RISE) and advocacy-based Enhanced Care as Usual (ECAU). The RISE intervention includes up to 8 sessions and includes specific topic areas (e.g., social support, health effects, resources). The other intervention, ECAU, includes a single session that includes supportive education about IPV and health effects, discussion of ways to increase safety, and information about resources. This study will test which approach is better for improving self-efficacy and other aspects of health.

Participants will answer surveys about their self-efficacy and other health and safety indicators (e.g., mental health symptoms) right before receiving treatment, approximately 12 weeks later, and then every three months after that for one year. Participation in this research will last about 15 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients receiving care at an enrolled site/affiliated Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC)
• report experience of past-year physical, psychological, and/or sexual IPV on an established screening tool used to detect IPV in VHA, and
• be able to provide informed consent including permission to have intervention sessions recorded

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe cognitive impairment,
• suicide or homicide intent with a specific plan
• untreated or unstable symptoms of mania or psychosis