The Impact of an Adapted Version of the Strengthening Families Program on IPV Among Caregivers and ACEs Among Children

Study Summary

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are unfortunately common and the known outcomes are concerning. However, very little is currently known about programs that may prevent ACEs among children, such as witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by their caregivers. The purpose of this project is to adapt an existing evidence-based program (i.e., Strengthening Families) to prevent ACEs. A randomized control will be used to determine the initial efficacy of the program. The Strengthening Families program has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing substance use and initiation among youth, and some preliminary evidence suggests that it may be effective at reducing child maltreatment as well. Further, the Strengthening Families program promotes family bonding and cohesion, which are protective factors against ACEs. The Strengthening Families program has been adapted by researchers at UNL (Devan Crawford and Les Whitbeck) for Native American Families (i.e., BII-ZIN-DA-DE-DAH \[Listening to One Another\]) to prevent substance abuse. Using the Strengthening Families and BII-ZIN-DA-DE-DAH programs, the investigators seek to adapt these programs to prevent ACEs among youth ages 10-14 and their caregivers. The program adaptations are being led by a Community Advisory Board as well as community practitioner partners. The community has named the program Tiwahe Wicaghwicayapi (Lakota for: to strengthen/improve families). Native children and/or children living in poverty, ages 10 to 14, will participate in the program with their families. Participants will be "randomized at the family level" into one of two arms (treatment or control), and children were assigned to the same arm as their caregiver. Half of the families will go first and then the second half of the families will get the program after the last survey. The investigators will use surveys to see if and how the program is working and also interview some people who go through the program. A community Advisory

Primary Outcome

Comprehensive ACEs Measure (Higher scores indicate higher adverse childhood experiences). Note: As explained in the Pre-Assignment Details, participants were "randomized at the family level" into one of two arms (treatment or control), and children were assigned to the same arm as their caregiver. Additionally, some measures were collected only for the children or only for the caregivers. This particular measure was collected for children only.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Experimental

Study Locations (1)