Adapting a Domestic Violence Intervention for High Risk Mothers in the Time of COVID-19: Trials and Tribulations of Piloting an Online Intervention

• In Event: Poster Session 01
  In Poster Session: PS 01 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to mitigate spread (i.e., lock downs, and an increase in working and schooling from home) have led to a dramatic increase in global rates of domestic violence (DV), leaving mothers and children particularly vulnerable (1,2). Children exposed to DV are at increased risk for developing physical and mental health problems as a result, and families in which DV occurs frequently become involved with Child Protective Services (CPS; 3-6). Additionally, the COVID-19 crisis has increased disparities in economic and health risks within our society, with low socioeconomic status (SES) populations being disproportionately negatively impacted (7). Given the prevalence and long-term consequences of DV, paired with the increase in incidence of and exposure to DV during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a critical need to support women and children impacted by DV. Development of effective interventions that are sensitive to the needs of high-risk families and are able to be disseminated to reach families during stay at home orders represents an important public-health goal. The current study evaluates the feasibility, challenges, and impact of adapting a pilot DV intervention that was created for use with a community agency serving high risk, low-income mothers for online use. The intervention draws on a diverse range of therapeutic approaches (i.e., CBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, parenting strategies, and psychoeducation). It was adapted from its in-person format to be administered over a HIPAA compliant Zoom, with the goal of reaching high-risk, high-need women in an effective, accessible, and secure way. It continues to draw on the in-person pilot intervention goals of enhancing cultural sensitivity, engagement, and outcomes for a high-risk, difficult to reach population of women. We reflect on participant feedback, challenges that arose during this pilot Zoom DV group (i.e. protecting privacy, connectivity issues, motivating participant engagement and learning, etc.), and strategies we found to be effective. We hypothesized this intervention would be feasible to implement and that it would continue to meet the needs of DV exposed women. We hypothesized that similar rates of women who completed the in-person group would engage in the Zoom group, and that the intervention would be associated with increased participant knowledge and understanding of DV, as well as with decreases in anxiety and depression symptomology, and increases in positive parenting. Results demonstrated that over 3 group iterations, 44 women signed up to participate in the group, and 30 followed through in participating in sessions (68%). Common challenges that have arisen include challenges with connectivity, managing group size, time management during sessions, participating from a private space, and participants multitasking during group. Due to challenges, we outline methods of addressing challenges, as well as specific techniques and future directions for program development and evaluation in order to improve this Zoom intervention. Results have implications for policy and practice recommendations beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, for reaching high-risk DV exposed women and thus, have the potential to improve maternal, youth, and family outcomes.

Authors

• Sarah Danzo, University of Washington
  Presenting Author

• Hope Vaccaro, Case Western Reserve University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Arin M Connell, Case Western Reserve University
  Non-Presenting Author