Dating Violence: Outcomes Following a Brief Motivational Interviewing Intervention Among At‐risk Adolescents in an Urban Emergency Department

Abstract

Objectives A recent study demonstrated the efficacy of the SafERteens intervention in reducing peer violence among adolescents presenting to the emergency department (ED). The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of this ED-based brief intervention (BI) on dating violence 1 year following the ED visit among the subsample of adolescents in the original randomized controlled trial reporting past-year dating violence. Methods Patients (aged 14 to 18 years) at an ED were eligible for inclusion if they had past-year violence and alcohol use. Participants were randomized to one of three conditions (BI delivered by a computer [CBI], BI delivered by a therapist and a computer (T+CBI), or control) and completed follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months. In addition to content on alcohol misuse and peer violence, adolescents reporting dating violence received a tailored module on dating violence. The outcome of interest was frequency of moderate and severe dating violence victimization and aggression (baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after ED visit). Results Among eligible adolescents, 55% (n = 397) reported dating violence and were included in these analyses. Compared to the control group (who received a resource brochure only), participants in the CBI showed reductions in moderate dating victimization at 3 months (inter-rater reliability [IRR] = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.51 to 0.99; p < 0.05) and 6 months (IRR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.83; p < 0.01). Models examining interaction effects were significant for the CBI on moderate dating victimization at 3 months (IRR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.67 to 0.98; p < 0.05) and 6 months (IRR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.66 to 0.99; p < 0.05). Significant interaction effects were found for the T+CBI on moderate dating violence victimization at 6 months (IRR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.69 to 0.96; p < 0.01) and 12 months (IRR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.63 to 0.90; p < 0.001) and severe dating violence victimization at 3 months (IRR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.59 to 0.96; p < 0.05). Conclusions ED-based BIs tailored to address multiple risk behaviors (i.e., peer violence, alcohol use, and dating violence) show promise for reducing moderate and severe dating victimization for up to 1 year following an ED visit.

The Role of the Physician When a Patient Discloses Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: A Literature Review

“…For those men ready to accept a referral to BIPs, research has shown that brief motivational interviewing improved attendance and treatment compliance among men enrolled in BIPs. 63,64 Although brief motivational interviewing to address adolescent dating abuse has been explored in the emergency department setting, 65,66 to our knowledge, brief motivational interviewing to address perpetration of IPV in primary care settings has yet to be explored.…”

A Consensus-Driven Agenda for Emergency Medicine Firearm Injury Prevention Research

“…[103][104][105][106] While these programs have shown promise in ED studies, 88, 103-111 they have not specifically focused on youth firearm injuries or firearm-specific outcomes. Single session screening and brief interventions incorporating motivational interviewing 112 and cognitive behavioral therapy have also shown efficacy at reducing violence and/or drug use among at-risk adolescents. 113 However, prior efficacy studies among youth at risk for violence have not led to concurrent work focused on how to prevent firearm injury among the similar populations.…”

Online alcohol interventions, sexual violence and intimate partner violence: A systematic review

“…The "AlcoholEdu" program covers aspects of drinking norms, the effects of alcohol, laws and policies, goal setting, harm reduction and dealing with alcoholrelated problems (Paschall et al, 2011a;Wyatt et al, 2013). The "SafERteens" study used techniques adapted from motivational interviewing with a non-confrontational and non-judgmental stance, emphasizing choice and self-efficacy (Cunningham et al, 2013). All the interventions were of short-duration, ranging between 30 min and 3 h. To our knowledge, only the SafERteens program contained components specifically targeting perpetration or victimization of IPV or sexual violence.…”