Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Anxiety; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Depression
• Interventions: Behavioral: Child-centered supportive therapy (CCT); Behavioral: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)

• Registration Number: NCT00183326
• Lead Sponsor: Allegheny Singer Research Institute (also known as Allegheny Health Network Research Institute)

Brief Summary

This study will determine whether trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is more effective than child-centered therapy (CCT) in reducing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children exposed to domestic violence (DV).

Detailed Description

Up to 10 million children in the United States are exposed to DV directed at their mothers by intimate partners. DV exposure puts these children at an increased risk for developing behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While studies targeting PTSD in DV-exposed children are limited, data indicates that TF-CBT is effective in improving PTSD as well as depression, anxiety, and behavioral symptoms. This study will determine the effectiveness of TF-CBT in reducing PTSD and other DV-related psychological symptoms in children from a community DV agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This study will last 8 weeks. Children and their mothers will be randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of either TF-CBT or CCT. In TF-CBT, patients recall the events of their trauma and try to deal with the emotions that arise. Supportive treatment empowers children to deal with their emotions in general. Both the children and their mothers will complete questionnaires at study entry and at Week 8. Children will also complete self-report scales at study entry and at Week 8. The questionnaires and self-report scales will be used to assess symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. Children and their mothers will be contacted 6 and 12 months after study completion for follow-up interviews.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2004-05
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-12
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-16
• Primary Completion: 2015-07
• Study Completion: 2015-07
• Status Verified: 2018-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-07-03
• Last Update Posted: 2018-07-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 124

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of PTSD related to exposure to DV, defined as their mother having been the victim of intimate partner violence within 1 year prior to study entry
• Able to read and understand English
• Parent or guardian able to read and understand English
• Parent or guardian willing to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Certain psychiatric disorders which preclude participation in cognitive-based treatment

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2	Child-centered supportive therapy (CCT)	Participants will receive child-centered supportive therapy
1	Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)	Participants will receive trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
PTSD symptoms	Measured before and after treatment and Months 6 and 12 of follow-up
Behavior	Measured before and after treatment and Months 6 and 12 of follow-up
Anxiety	Measured before and after treatment and Months 6 and 12 of follow-up
Depression	Measured before and after treatment and Months 6 and 12 of follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Contact with perpetrator	Measured at every treatment session

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh; 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States