COVID-19 and Mental Health (CMH) Initiative: Research
Examining the Use of Virtual Care Interventions to Provide Trauma-Focused Treatment to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Populations
Key Messages
- The provision of online psychological therapies for reducing psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from domestic violence or sexual assault are effective.
- When compared with face-to-face treatment interventions, trauma-focused virtual care interventions had similar outcome measures for mental health distress.
- Provision of services virtual care interventions is also associated with a number of perceived challenges regarding the relationship between providers and clients, confidentiality, and patient safety, and technological barriers.
- Virtual care interventions for this population is most effective when used to supplement or facilitate (rather than replace) in-person professional trauma-focused care.
- Stakeholder interviews conducted in Alberta highlighted several barriers for virtual care for at-risk populations experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault during a pandemic. These include the practitioners’ inability to assess safety in the clients’ environment; challenges in making connection with new clients in virtual settings; and the loss of human connection in virtual settings that is vital in healing trauma.
Keywords
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Virtual care
- E-mental health
- Trauma-focused treatment
- Mental health
Author(s)
- Nominated Principal Applicant: Dr. Stephanie Montesanti
- Dr. Peter Silverstone, MD, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta
- Prof. Lana Wells, Brenda Stafford Chair, Prevention of Domestic Violence, Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
- Ms. Winta Ghidei, MPH, PhD Student, Project Manager, School of Public Health, University of Alberta
For more information, please contact: Dr. Stephanie Montesanti, montesan@ualberta.ca
Related Syntheses
- School-Based Suicide Risk Assessment Using eHealth: A Scoping Review
- Niikaniganaw (All My Relations) Ii – the COVID-19 Rapid Response: Indigenous Approaches to Synthesizing Knowledge for Culturally-safe and Stigma Free Mental Health Care for Under-served Indigenous Communities in Ottawa-Gatineau
- Knowledge Synthesis for Mechanistic and Targeted In-Person and Digital Social-Connection Intervention for Wellness and Resilience in Older Adults in Pandemic Context and Beyond
Download
(External links)
Population
Vulnerable or At-Risk Populations, Children, Youth and Families
Language
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