Intervention for Abused Chinese Immigrant Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a purpose-built intervention in improving the mental health of abused Mainland Chinese immigrant women in a community in Hong Kong.

Detailed Description
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Depression is one of the most common mental health sequelae of Intimate partner violence. Not only does depression have an adverse effect on abused women's health and well-being, it also reduces their capacity to cope with the abuse by limiting their ability to perform self-care, meet work requirement, maintain independence, establish relationships, and access social support. Previously, the ability of abused women to take care of themselves was found to be a protective factor for depression. In order to enhance abused women's self-care, advocacy interventions have been developed to help them make sense of the abusive situation, identify potential solutions, and achieve their goals. Also, immigration status was shown to be significantly associated with a higher level of depressive symptoms among the abused women. The findings are important as they point to the need for further research to develop and evaluate culturally congruent interventions to meet the needs of abused Mainland Chinese immigrant women in Hong Kong. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a purpose-built intervention to address the unmet needs of Mainland Chinese immigrant women survivors of Intimate partner violence and to assess its effect on the mental health of the women.

Official Title
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The Effect of a Purpose-built Intervention on Mental Health in Mainland Chinese Immigrant Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Mental Health Wellness 1, Domestic Violence

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Purpose-built intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Mainland Chinese immigrant women, 18 years of age or older, holding a one-way or two-way permit, have settled in Hong Kong with their intimate partners for less than seven years, have at least one child under 18 years of age, residing in the Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan or Tsing Yi districts, and assessed to be abused by an intimate partner, based on the Abuse Assessment Screen. Exclusion Criteria: participated in our positive parenting program or advocacy intervention previously, or will not be in Hong Kong during the intervention/standard health education program or the follow-up telephone interview, or is abused by someone who is not her intimate partner, or is unable to communicate in Cantonese or Putonghua.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Purpose-built intervention<br>A purpose-built intervention consists of: (i) Empowerment; (ii) Parenting workshops; and (iii) Telephone social support and Peer support. | Behavioral: Purpose-built intervention<br>* A purpose-built intervention consists of: (i) Empowerment; (ii) Parenting workshops; and (iii) Telephone social support and Peer support.<br>|
| No Intervention: Standard community health education program<br>The community health education programme consists of two group sessions with one on the topic of osteoporosis and one on dietary therapy based on the concepts of Chinese medicine. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline in depressive symptoms at 6-month post-intervention | The Beck Depression Inventory version II is used to assess depressive symptoms at baseline and also at 6-month post-intervention | Baseline and 6-month post-intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline in parenting stress at 6-month post-intervention | The Parenting Stress Index is used to measure paretning stress at baseline and also at 6-month post-intervention | Baseline and 6-month post-intervention | 
| Change from baseline in perceptions of social support at 6-month post-intervention | The 12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List is used to assess perceptions of social supportat baseline and also at 6-month post-intervention | Baseline and 6-month post-intervention | 
| Change from baseline in health-related quality of life at 6-month post-intervention | The SF-12 Health Survey is used to assess health-related quality of life at baseline and also at 6-month post-intervention | Baseline and 6-month post-intervention | 
| Change from baseline in intimate partner violence at 6-month post-intervention | The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales is used to measure the type and frequency of behaviors used by the perpetrator during partner conflict at baseline and also at 6-month post-intervention. | Baseline and 6-month post-intervention | 
| Change from baseline in safety behaviors at 6-month post-intervention | The Safety Assessment Checklist is used to to measure the safety behaviours used by abused women to avert intimate partner violence at baseline and also at 6-month post-intervention. | Baseline and 6-month post-intervention. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Intimate Partner Violence, Depressive Symptoms, Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial, Mainland Chinese, Immigrants, Women