Virtual Delivery of Strength at Home for Intimate Partner Violence
Author Information
Author(s): Casey T. Taft, Justin K. Benzer, Megan Kopitsky, Suzannah K. Creech
Primary Institution: National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System
Hypothesis
The study examines whether the virtual delivery of the Strength at Home intervention is as effective as in-person delivery for reducing intimate partner violence among military veterans.
Conclusion
The virtual delivery of the Strength at Home intervention significantly reduced physical and psychological intimate partner violence, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol misuse among veterans.
Supporting Evidence
- Significant reductions in physical IPV from 27% to 7% were observed.
- Psychological IPV decreased from 44% to 17%.
- Coercive control behaviors reduced from 33% to 14%.
- PTSD symptoms showed a mean change of −9.99.
- Alcohol misuse scores improved, indicating reduced problematic drinking.
Takeaway
This study shows that helping veterans with intimate partner violence through online sessions can work just as well as meeting in person.
Methodology
The study used a nonrandomized assessment of implementation outcomes focused on quality improvement, analyzing pre- and post-treatment scores of participants who attended virtual sessions.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include self-reporting and the lack of randomization in participant assignment to virtual or in-person delivery.
Limitations
The study was not randomized and lacked a control condition, limiting definitive conclusions about effectiveness.
Participant Demographics
Participants were mostly male veterans aged 21 to 77, with 19% identifying as Black, 13% as Hispanic, and 62% as non-Hispanic White.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI, −0.34 to −0.14
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website