Clinical Trial of a Supporter-Targeted Intervention to Improve Outcomes in Recent Sexual Assault Survivors

Summary

Communication and Recovery Enhancement (CARE) is a 2-session early intervention for survivors of recent sexual assault and their supporters that aims to improve supporters' ability to respond effectively. The goal of this pilot trial is to understand the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of two versions of CARE: a version in which survivors and supporters attend both sessions together (dyadic CARE) and a version in which supporters attend sessions alone (supporter-only CARE). Survivors aged 14+ with elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms will enroll with a supporter of their choosing. Dyads will be randomized to dyadic CARE, supporter-only CARE, or waitlist control, and will complete self-report assessments at baseline, post-session-1, and follow-ups (1, 2, and 3 months post-baseline). Results will be used to inform future changes to CARE and determine whether a fully-powered randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Conditions

• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Helping Behavior
• Help-Seeking Behavior
• Stress
• Relationship, Social
• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Violence
• Social Interaction

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Dyadic CARE

Dyadic CARE involves two telehealth sessions with a clinician, the survivor, and a supporter of the survivor's choice. Session content uses cognitive-behavioral strategies (e.g., encouraging non-avoidance) to encourage communication and improve supporters' responses in trauma-related conversations. Between sessions, both the survivor and the supporter are instructed to review session content and have guided discussions with the assistance of a workbook.

BEHAVIORAL

Supporter-Only CARE

Supporter-only CARE involves two telehealth sessions with a clinician and a supporter of the survivor's choice, without the survivor present. Session content uses cognitive-behavioral strategies (e.g., encouraging non-avoidance) to encourage communication and improve supporters' responses in trauma-related conversations. Between sessions, both the survivor and the supporter are instructed to review session content and have guided discussions with the assistance of a workbook.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Washington

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Emily R Dworkin, PhD · University of Washington

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

14 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-05-18

Primary Completion

2024-07-04

Completion

2024-07-04

Countries

• United States

Study Locations