Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

Treating PTSD in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

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).

Study Overview

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

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 Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 124
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15224
      • Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 7 years to 14 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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 Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1; Participants will receive trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy	Behavioral: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT); TF-CBT is a psychotherapeutic intervention designed to help children, youth, and their parents overcome the negative effects of traumatic life events. It was developed by integrating cognitive and behavioral interventions with traditional child abuse therapies that focus on enhancement of interpersonal trust and empowerment. It targets PTSD symptoms, which often co-occur with depression and behavioral problems. TF-CBT also targets other issues experienced by those suffering a trauma including poor self-esteem, mood instability, and difficulty trusting others.
Active Comparator: 2; Participants will receive child-centered supportive therapy	Behavioral: Child-centered supportive therapy (CCT); CCT demonstrates an empathic approach to healing. An environment consisting of empathy, unconditional positive regard and acceptance are key elements in this mode of therapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
PTSD symptoms	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
Behavior	Measured before and after treatment and Months 6 and 12 of follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Contact with perpetrator	Measured at every treatment session

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Allegheny Singer Research Institute (also known as Allegheny Health Network Research Institute)
• Collaborators: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Cohen JA, Mannarino AP, Iyengar S. Community treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder for children exposed to intimate partner violence: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2011 Jan;165(1):16-21. doi: 10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.247.

Helpful Links

• Click here to learn more about the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2004
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2005
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2005
• First Posted (Estimate): September 16, 2005

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 5, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 3, 2018
• Last Verified: July 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Children; CBT; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Domestic Violence
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Other Study ID Numbers: R01MH072590 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); DDTR B3-PDS (Other Identifier: FDAAA)