An online intervention targeting intimate partner violence in perinatal women with recent mental health care utilization: a multisite randomized clinical trial

This study evaluated the efficacy of an online intervention targeting intimate partner violence (IPV) in perinatal women, Strength for U in Relationship Empowerment (SURE), relative to an attention, time, and information-matched control, on IPV severity, positive affect and well-being, and perceived emotional support across a 12-month follow-up. Perinatal women (N = 122) who reported past 12-month IPV and recently engaged in mental health treatment were randomized to SURE (n = 65) or control (n = 57). SURE participants received a 40-minute online intervention based in motivational interviewing and empowerment. Control participants viewed a 40-minute online video of popular entertainment, followed by questions about preferences. Both conditions also included a brief 10-15-minute telephone-delivered booster session one month after the online session. Follow-up assessments occurred at 6 weeks, and 3-, 6-, and 12-months since the baseline visit. Both interventions exhibited a significant drop in IPV severity from baseline to 12-month follow-up, with no significant differences between arms (range of standardized effect sizes for the time by group interaction = 0.20–1.65). Significant intervention effects were found for both positive affect and well-being (range of standardized effect sizes for the time by group interaction = -0.04-1.62) and perceived emotional support (range of standardized effect sizes for the time by group interaction = 0.65–2.10), where participants in SURE exhibited significant increases in both outcomes, while control participants did not. Results suggest that SURE provides a good model for an online intervention for perinatal women who have sought mental health services.