Effectiveness of a Web-based Intervention for Guardians of Children Whose One Parent Has Murdered the Other
| Status: | Withdrawn |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | July 2008 |
| End Date: | June 2009 |
Testing an IHCA for Guardians of Survivors of Intraparental Homicide
This study will determine whether a specialized Web site geared for the guardians of
children whose one parent has murdered the other can increase guardian capabilities, reduce
guardian stress, and improve child behavior and mental health.
children whose one parent has murdered the other can increase guardian capabilities, reduce
guardian stress, and improve child behavior and mental health.
Intraparental homicide (IPH), when one parent kills the other, leaves approximately 4,000
children bereaved each year, adding to a total of 70,000 currently in the United States.
Although few studies have focused on this phenomenon, available data indicate children of
IPH suffer short- and long-term mental health consequences, including post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Prior research also indicates that guardians, often family members under
stress themselves, do not know how to help the children. No interventions directed at
guardians of child survivors of IPH are found in scientific and clinical literature. Use of
a specialized Web site called an Interactive Healthcare Communication Application (IHCA) has
been found effective in treating multiple health conditions, including breast cancer in
women and asthma in children. This study aims to refine an IHCA Web site for use by
guardians of child survivors of IPH, to determine the safety and effectiveness of this Web
site, and to determine how it is used by targeted guardians.
In the first phase of this study researchers will develop the IHCA based on feedback from a
small focus group of guardians of child survivors of IPH. Then guardians of survivors of IPH
up to 16 years old will be randomly assigned either to receive access to the IHCA created
for them or to have access only to generally available Internet information. The IHCA will
have six components: (1) an Instant Library of articles on topics of interest; (2) a
resource directory of both national and local support and service organizations; (3) access
to a peer communication system; (4) a Frequently Asked Questions section, updated with
responses to user generated questions; (5) an "Ask an Expert" system staffed by researchers;
and (6) personal stories of others dealing with IPH. Participants with access to the IHCA
will receive print and phone instructions explaining the Web site and have their usage
monitored by tracking software. Those in the control group will be directed to a Web site
linking to publically available, pre-existing support Web sites. After 16 weeks of unlimited
access to the IHCA or control group Web sites from their home computers, all participants
will complete four evaluation reviews: the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation
Scales, the Parenting Stress Index, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Child PTSD
Inventory - Parent.
children bereaved each year, adding to a total of 70,000 currently in the United States.
Although few studies have focused on this phenomenon, available data indicate children of
IPH suffer short- and long-term mental health consequences, including post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Prior research also indicates that guardians, often family members under
stress themselves, do not know how to help the children. No interventions directed at
guardians of child survivors of IPH are found in scientific and clinical literature. Use of
a specialized Web site called an Interactive Healthcare Communication Application (IHCA) has
been found effective in treating multiple health conditions, including breast cancer in
women and asthma in children. This study aims to refine an IHCA Web site for use by
guardians of child survivors of IPH, to determine the safety and effectiveness of this Web
site, and to determine how it is used by targeted guardians.
In the first phase of this study researchers will develop the IHCA based on feedback from a
small focus group of guardians of child survivors of IPH. Then guardians of survivors of IPH
up to 16 years old will be randomly assigned either to receive access to the IHCA created
for them or to have access only to generally available Internet information. The IHCA will
have six components: (1) an Instant Library of articles on topics of interest; (2) a
resource directory of both national and local support and service organizations; (3) access
to a peer communication system; (4) a Frequently Asked Questions section, updated with
responses to user generated questions; (5) an "Ask an Expert" system staffed by researchers;
and (6) personal stories of others dealing with IPH. Participants with access to the IHCA
will receive print and phone instructions explaining the Web site and have their usage
monitored by tracking software. Those in the control group will be directed to a Web site
linking to publically available, pre-existing support Web sites. After 16 weeks of unlimited
access to the IHCA or control group Web sites from their home computers, all participants
will complete four evaluation reviews: the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation
Scales, the Parenting Stress Index, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Child PTSD
Inventory - Parent.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Able to speak and read English at a 7th grade level
- Guardian of a child survivor of parental homicide aged 0 to 16 years
Exclusion Criteria:
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