Open AccessPost-Sexual Assault Mental Health: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Video-Based Intervention
Author(s) -
Amanda K. Gilmore,
Kate Walsh,
Patricia A. Frazier,
Liza Meredith,
Linda E. Ledray,
Joanne L. Davis,
Ron Acierno,
Kenneth J. Ruggiero,
Dean G. Kilpatrick,
Anna E. Jaffe,
Heidi S. Resnick
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of interpersonal violence
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-6518
pISSN - 0886-2605
DOI - 10.1177/0886260519884674
Subject(s) - sexual assault , randomized controlled trial , mental health , intervention (counseling) , suicide prevention , poison control , injury prevention , psychiatry , psychology , occupational safety and health , human factors and ergonomics , medicine , brief intervention , clinical psychology , medical emergency , surgery , pathology
The current study assessed the efficacy of a brief video intervention (Prevention of Post-Rape Stress [PPRS]) delivered in the emergency department to recent sexual assault (SA) victims. PPRS was compared to treatment as usual (TAU) and an active control condition (Pleasant Imagery and Relaxation Instruction [PIRI]). Primary outcomes were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and perceived present control. Prior SA was examined as a moderator of treatment effects. Women ( n = 233; aged 15 years and older; 59.70% identified as a racial or ethnic minority) who received a post-SA medical forensic exam participated in the study (NCT01430624). Participants were randomized to watch the PPRS video ( n = 77), the PIRI video ( n = 77), or receive TAU ( n = 79). Participants completed measures of PTSD symptoms and perceived present control 1.5-, 3-, and 6-months post-SA. An interaction between condition and prior SA was found on PTSD symptom frequency and on perceived present control. Among women with a prior SA, women in the PPRS versus TAU condition reported less frequent PTSD symptoms 6-months post-SA. Those in the PPRS condition had lower perceived present control than those in the TAU condition among those with no prior SA 3-months post-SA. However, at 6-months post-SA, among women with a prior SA, women in the PPRS reported higher perceived present control than those in TAU. These findings partially replicate a prior study in which PPRS was found to be beneficial in mitigating the development of PTSD symptoms, but only for women with a prior SA.