Testing STAR and TextSTAR: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Testing STAR and TextSTAR: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a video given for recent sexual assault survivors and/or a 3-week text messaging intervention with similar content is effective at reducing mental health problems and substance misuse following the assault.

This NIDA-funded HEAL Initiative: Opioid Use Disorder Care Pathways for Individuals with Histories of Exposure to Violence R33 seeks to test a brief video and text messaging intervention to deliver during Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiner (SAMFE) care to prevent the onset or escalation of PTSD and opioid misuse among survivors of sexual assault. The investigators will test whether the video is associated with reductions in symptoms and whether for those above threshold on PTSD and opioid misuse symptoms at 1 week, the text message program is associated with reductions in symptoms at 1, 3, and 6 months post-assault.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 or older
• Can read and respond to questions in English
• Are receiving a SAMFE exam for a assault/victimization within the previous week (7 days)
• Not currently or about to be hospitalized for severe injuries, suicidality, or psychosis
• Not currently or about to be incarcerated

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under age 18
• Those who cannot read and respond to questionnaires in English
• Those seeking care that does not include a SAMFE exam
• Those who cannot consent to receive SAMFE care
• Those who are currently or about to be hospitalized for severe injuries, suicidality, or psychosis
• Those who are currently or about to be incarcerated