Investigating the effects of the Moms’ Empowerment Program on 8-year traumatic stress symptom trajectories in women with histories of IPV.

Abstract

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pressing issue, affecting nearly one-third of women in the U.S. over their lifetimes, and has been linked with a number of deleterious outcomes, including the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although IPV is often chronic, few studies have prospectively examined trajectories of PTSD symptoms (PTSS) in this population. The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of the Moms' Empowerment Program-an IPV-specific intervention; as well as trauma exposure, domestic violence (DV) shelter use, and depression symptoms on PTSS trajectories in women with histories of IPV. Method: Data were drawn from a sample of 118 women who participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an intervention specifically designed for women and children experiencing IPV. Sixty-seven women from the original sample completed an assessment 8 years following the conclusion of the intervention. Results: On average, women's PTSS decreased over time. Intervention group assignment did not affect these trajectories; however, women who attended more sessions had significantly fewer PTSS at the 8-year followup. Greater IPV exposure, higher depression symptoms, and shelter use were all associated with higher PTSS over time, with some variation across PTSS subdomains. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary evidence that brief intervention may have long-term effects. They also demonstrate how addressing ongoing IPV and concurrent symptoms of depression is likely an essential component of treating PTSS in this population. Finally, these results underscore the need for more research on relations between formal DV services and mental health.

Mothers with a history of trauma and their children: a systematic review of treatment interventions

“…Within MEP, mothers openly discuss their parenting skills and the impact of IPV on their child’s development in a group setting which promotes the development of new parenting practices and a supportive parenting environment ( Howell et al, 2014 ). In addition, mothers receive information about the typical development of children, stress reduction, and problem-solving of parenting issues ( Galano et al, 2021 ). Also, mothers acquire coping skills that contribute to their stress management during difficult parent–child interactions.…”

“…The MEP was evaluated in two articles in which, respectively, 120 and 67 mothers participated who experienced interpersonal trauma ( Howell et al, 2014 ; Galano et al, 2021 ). The first showed that MEP induced a significant and positive change in maternal self-reported parenting practices, such as involvement, discipline, and positive parenting ( d = 0.14, indicating a small effect; 38).…”

Risk factors for intimate partner violence victimization across 8 years: Contributions of the posttraumatic stress symptom domains.

“…Miller-Graff & Graham-Bermann (2016) also reports on baseline data, with a focus on contributions of individual and neighborhood level predictors of different types of IPV. Galano et al (2021) and Stein et al (2022) are the only studies that look at the mom's outcomes at the 8-year follow-up. Galano et al (2021) focuses on changes in women's posttraumatic stress symptoms over the 8-year follow-up, examining how violence exposure, depression, and shelter use affect trajectories.…”

“…Galano et al (2021) and Stein et al (2022) are the only studies that look at the mom’s outcomes at the 8-year follow-up. Galano et al (2021) focuses on changes in women’s posttraumatic stress symptoms over the 8-year follow-up, examining how violence exposure, depression, and shelter use affect trajectories. Stein et al (2022) focus on trajectories of IPV reengagement (i.e., the number of women’s violent partners) across 8 years, examining the roles of trauma exposure, mental health, and sociodemographic factors in risk for reengagement.The rest of the published manuscripts focus on children’s outcomes.…”

MOSAIC (MOthers’ AdvocateS In the Community) for pregnant women and mothers of children under 5 with experience of intimate partner violence: A pilot randomized trial study protocol

“…One of them, Mother AdvocateS In the Community (MOSAIC) forms the basis of this study [ 25 ]. Very few existing interventions address maternal depressive and PTSD symptoms that often follow IPV [ 3 , 26 , 27 ]. An integrated intervention that addresses elevated symptoms of maternal depression and PTSD while reducing subsequent IPV is needed.…”