Clinical Research Directory

Advancing Couple and Family Alcohol Treatment Through Patient-Oriented Research and Mentorship

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that results in significant health and economic burdens including mortality, morbidity, and poor treatment outcomes. A well-developed field of research suggests that alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to IPV. Individuals with PTSD and/or problematic drinking behaviors are at risk for IPV because of several factors that are common symptoms of PTSD. Because individuals with PTSD often drink alcohol to "self-medicate" or cope with distressing PTSD symptoms, PTSD co-occurs with alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder at extraordinarily high rates. However, few studies have examined the combined effects of alcohol misuse and PTSD on any form of violence. This study will examine the effects of alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on alcohol-related intimate partner violence (IPV). We will examine these associations among couples (N=70) in a controlled laboratory setting using validated, standardized methods in a 'real-world' settings using 28 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA).

Promoting Resilience in Stroke Survivor-carepartner Dyads (ReStoreD)

Affecting nearly 800,000 people in the US every year, stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, and has serious consequences for stroke survivors and their carepartners. Our project uses a scientifically rigorous efficacy study to evaluate a remotely delivered 8-week dyadic (couples-based) positive psychology intervention to reduce emotional distress in stroke survivors and their carepartners. If successful, couples may be better emotionally equipped to cope with the sequelae of stroke, and have better rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life.

A Dyadic Intervention for Young Adult Patients With Cancer and Their Partner Caregivers

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a brief psychotherapy intervention to improve psychosocial coping and maintain couple relationships among young adults (aged 25-39) with cancer and their caregiving partners.

Zithandani Stepping Stones and Creating Futures - Phase 2 Pilot

The goal of this uncontrolled intervention study is to assess whether Zithandani Stepping Stones and Creating Futures is feasible to deliver, acceptable for participants, safe for participants and to estimate effect sizes, in young (ages 18-40 years) heterosexual couples, living in urban informal settlements in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is Zithandani SSCF feasible to deliver to young couples, and what are the barriers and opportunities in intervention delivery? 2. Is Zithandani SSCF acceptable to participants? What do they like and what do they not like about the intervention? 3. Is Zithandani SSCF safe for female participants and do they engage adequately? 4. Does Zithandani SSCF show indication of positive change on key indicators and what are the effect sizes? Participants will be recruited as heterosexual couples and participate in 14 sessions, each approximately 3 hours long, with between 4 and 6 other couples, focused on gender norms, livelihoods and communication.

Developing and Testing an Online Intervention for Alcohol and Cannabis Misuse and Healthy Relationship Skills Among Young Adult Couples

The goal of this clinical trial is to develop and test a brief online intervention to reduce alcohol and cannabis misuse and improve healthy relationship skills among young adult couples. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will the intervention be feasible and acceptable to young adult couples? * Will the intervention demonstrate initial efficacy in reducing risky substance use and increasing relationship functioning? Eligible couples will complete a virtual baseline session and be randomized to intervention condition (online intervention with 3-5 weeks of self-paced modules) or control condition (no intervention). Couples will complete two follow-up surveys (post-assessment - approximately 5 weeks after baseline, 3-month). Couples in the control condition will be offered the intervention after 3-month follow-up. Researchers will compare intervention and control groups to see if there there is a difference between the groups on substance misuse and relationship functioning at post-assessment and 3-month follow-up.