Pilot trial of THRIVE: A peer-delivered sexual and intimate partner violence prevention program for women in substance use treatment – Psychiatry AI: Real-Time AI Scoping Review

AI Summary

High rates of interpersonal violence and trauma among women in substance use treatment necessitate integrated violence prevention services.
Peer-delivered THRIVE programme was feasible and highly acceptable, with participants reporting strong satisfaction and peers' strengths as facilitators.
Preliminary efficacy shown: improved consent knowledge, resources, sexual self-efficacy, reduced risky dating and IPV victimisation from 73.9% to 42.0% at three months.

AI Summary

High rates of interpersonal violence exposure and trauma-related mental health concerns among women in substance use treatment underscore the need for violence prevention services in these settings.

We tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a peer-delivered sexual and intimate partner violence prevention program for women in substance use treatment (THRIVE: The Healthy Relationships and Interpersonal Violence Education program).

Results from linear mixed models indicated that participants improved on knowledge of consent (MT1 = 4.37, MT4 = 4.52), p =.004, and resources (MT1 = 2.09, MT4 = 2.63), p <.001; increased sexual self-efficacy (MT1 = 4.90, MT4 = 5.29), p <.001; and decreased risky dating (MT1 = 3.37, MT4 = 2.87), p <.001, and physical and psychological intimate partner violence victimization (T1: 73.9%, T4: 42.0%), p <.001.

Basic summary

J Trauma Stress. 2026 Jul 1. doi: 10.1002/jts.70100. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

High rates of interpersonal violence exposure and trauma-related mental health concerns among women in substance use treatment underscore the need for violence prevention services in these settings. Peer support specialists can play a crucial role in increasing access to trauma-focused services and overcoming barriers, such as stigma and mistrust in formal systems. We tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a peer-delivered sexual and intimate partner violence prevention program for women in substance use treatment (THRIVE: The Healthy Relationships and Interpersonal Violence Education program). We conducted a single-arm trial with 90 women recruited from outpatient and residential substance use treatment centers. Self-report surveys assessed risk and protective factors and violence exposure over four assessment points from baseline (T1) to 3-month follow-up (T4). Exit interviews and survey data examined feasibility and acceptability outcomes. Results from linear mixed models indicated that participants improved on knowledge of consent (M_T1 = 4.37, M_T4 = 4.52), p = .004, and resources (M_T1 = 2.09, M_T4 = 2.63), p < .001; increased sexual self-efficacy (M_T1 = 4.90, M_T4 = 5.29), p < .001; and decreased risky dating (M_T1 = 3.37, M_T4 = 2.87), p < .001, and physical and psychological intimate partner violence victimization (T1: 73.9%, T4: 42.0%), p < .001. Participants reported high satisfaction and acceptability and highlighted the strengths of peers as facilitators. In sum, THRIVE offers promise as an effective, scalable violence prevention program.

PMID:42383404 | DOI:10.1002/jts.70100

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