Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Feb 29, 2024
Date Accepted: Aug 31, 2024
The Implementation of The Advocacy Intervention for Women in Midlife and Older who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence (The AIM Study): A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Women in midlife and older who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) often have less access to supports and services than younger women. There is much less focus on research and supports for women in midlife and beyond compared to younger women experiencing IPV and often neither elder abuse nor IPV services meet their needs. Few interventions are available to meet the needs of women in midlife and older.
Objective:
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test the effectiveness of an advocacy intervention for women in midlife and older who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and to learn from the experiences of those who implemented and participated in the program.
Methods:
This trial is a two-arm, unblinded parallel pragmatic randomized controlled trial with a qualitative component. Eligible participants will be women who live in the Maritime provinces of Canada, who are in midlife and older (approximately age 50+), who are currently in a relationship with an abusive partner and/or have recently left an abusive partner. Community-based researchers will be trained to deliver the intervention. The intervention will be entirely virtual and will consist of two-components: 1) An empowerment component which will involve sharing resources and information with the women; and 2) A social support component which will include providing support and encouragement to women for 12 weeks. Quantitative effectiveness data will be collected with all trial participants at baseline, 3-months after intervention and 9-months about the incidence and severity of IPV, physical and mental health, and safety behaviors and strategies. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with the community-based researchers and intervention group participants. Control group participants will receive a static non-tailored version of the AIM intervention materials after baseline data collection.
Results:
As of December 31, 2023, twelve community-based researchers have been trained to deliver the AIM intervention to trial participants. Five participants have been enrolled in the study.
Conclusions:
This research will result in the adaptation and testing of a program to support and empower women in Canada in midlife and older who experience IPV. Clinical Trial: The trial is registered with the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Registry (ISRCTN) #30646991 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN30646991
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