Before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), 1 in 3 women and girls, globally, were victimized by an abusive partner in intimate relationships. However, the current pandemic has amplified cases of domestic violence (DV) against women and girls, with up to thrice the prevalence in DV cases compared to the same time last year. Evidence of the adverse effects of the pandemic on DV is still emerging, even as violence prevention strategies are iteratively being refined by service providers, advocacy agencies, and survivors to meet stay-at-home mandates. Emotional and material support for survivors is a critical resource increasingly delivered using digital and technology-based modalities, which offer several advantages and challenges. This paper rapidly describes current DV mitigation approaches using digital solutions, signaling emerging best practices to support survivors, their children, and abusers during stay-at-home advisories. Some examples of technology-based strategies and solutions are presented. An immediate priority is mapping out current digital solutions in response to COVID-19–related DV and outlining issues with uptake, coverage, and meaningful use of digital solutions.

Introduction Studies show digital interventions such as mobile and wireless platforms (e.g., smartphone apps, text messaging) and web‐based platforms (online support groups and telehealth services) can improve the mental health outcomes for victims/survivors of partner abuse. Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety are three to five times higher among victims than nonvictims and are thus popular targets of digital interventions. Even then, the evidence is scant. The current review uses both narrative and quantitative (meta‐analysis) techniques to present extensive evidence on the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) digital interventions on the mental health outcomes among survivors of partner violence across all genders and ages, specifically, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This is the first meta‐analysis on IPV‐related mental health outcomes targeted by digital interventions. Objectives To synthesize current evidence on the intervention and treatment effects of digital and technology‐based interventions (mHealth and eHealth) addressing IPV mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and PTSD) among survivors of IPV. This study's research questions are as follows: (a) What are the overall average treatment effects of IPV digital interventions on IPV survivors' mental health outcomes? (b) Do these mental health outcomes vary based on methodological study designs, sample characteristics, and intervention characteristics? Methods An extensive search strategy will be utilized to find qualifying studies. Various electronic bibliographic databases will be searched for studies since 2009 (coinciding with the onset of mobile health interventions). Other databases, such as government databases, grey literature databases, trial registers, specialty journals, and citations in other studies will be searched. Also, we will search “grey databases,” such as Google Scholar. Ethical and safety concerns preclude the randomization of IPV survivors to specific intervention conditions. Therefore, we will not exclude studies based on a lack of random assignment. Studies will be full‐text accessible, published in any language (translatable into English). We will also contact researchers where needed data is missing in their report. Neither language, study location, nor study settings will be a limiter for searches. Keyword and MeSH headings will be used. Effect sizes (Hedges' g) will be estimated with a Type I error rate set at an alpha of .05. Results All studies will measure IPV‐related mental health as an outcome and provide outcome data to calculate effect sizes for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and victimization (physical, psychological, and sexual violence). Conclusion Digital interventions may clinically reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and IPV victimization. Summary effect sizes ranging from small to large will signal the usefulness of digital interventions to IPV survivors contending with common mental health issues. Future studies beyond this one may identify other active intervention ingr...

Introduction: Rural youth are twice as likely as urban youth to experience some forms of teen dating violence (TDV), and significant barriers to accessing support services for physical, psychological, sexual violence. However, rural youth remain understudied and undersampled. Rural young men, in particular, are at risk for experiencing or perpetrating dating violence influenced by regional and sociocultural risk factors that promote male supremacy ideals while also impeding male help-seeking. Technology-based interventions circumvent some of these risk factors by offering confidential and reliable support. This study investigates rural young males' acceptability of technology-based interventions for fostering healthy relationships and preventing dating abuse, including their preferences for intervention content and features. Methods: Three online focus groups (n = 14) and phone interviews (n = 13) were conducted with rural young males. Participants were stratified by age (15-17 and 18-24 year-olds). Most were White (81%) from the United States Midwest (65%). Semi-structured interview data were analyzed using Qualitative Description (QD), guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Results: Three themes identified were (1) Scarcity of Useful Resources, (2) Socio-Structural Challenges for Intervention Uptake, with two subthemes (2a) Rural-Specific Structural Barriers and (2b) Rural Masculinity Disrupting Help-seeking; (3) Finally, participants discussed Functionality and Design Needs, itemizing their intervention "must-have" in terms of content, resources, and features. Conclusion: This qualitative study identified obstacles and facilitators to using technology-based interventions for dating violence prevention among young rural males and offers pragmatic "ready-to-use" recommendations for the development of technology-based anti-dating violence interventions for rural youth.

Background A growing body of research shows the promise and efficacy of technology‐based or digital interventions in improving the health and well‐being of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). In addition, mental health comorbidities such as anxiety, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression occur three to five times more frequently in survivors of IPV than non‐survivors, making these comorbidities prominent targets of technology‐based interventions. Still, research on the long‐term effectiveness of these interventions in reducing IPV victimization and adverse mental health effects is emergent. The significant increase in the number of trials studying technology‐based therapies on IPV‐related outcomes has allowed us to quantify the effectiveness of such interventions for mental health and victimization outcomes in survivors. This meta‐analysis and systematic review provide critical insight from several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the overall short and long‐term impact of technology‐based interventions on the health and well‐being of female IPV survivors. Objectives To synthesize current evidence on the effects of technology‐based or digital interventions on mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and PTSD) and victimization outcomes (physical, psychological, and sexual abuse) among IPV survivors. Search Methods We examined multiple traditional and grey databases for studies published from 2007 to 2021. Traditional databases (such as PubMed Central, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus, and PsychINFO) and grey databases were searched between April 2019 and February 2021. In addition, we searched clinical trial registries, government repositories, and reference lists. Authors were contacted where additional data was needed. We identified 3210 studies in traditional databases and 1257 from grey literature. Over 2198 studies were determined to be duplicates and eliminated, leaving 64 studies after screening titles and abstracts. Finally, 17 RCTs were retained for meta‐analysis. A pre‐registered protocol was developed and published before conducting this meta‐analysis. Selection Criteria We included RCTs targeting depression, anxiety, PTSD outcomes, and victimization outcomes (physical, sexual, and psychological violence) among IPV survivors using a technology‐based intervention. Eligible RCTs featured a well‐defined control group. There were no study restrictions based on participant gender, study setting, or follow‐up duration. Included studies additionally supplied outcome data for calculating effect sizes for our desired outcome. Studies were available in full text and published between 2007 and 2021 in English. Data Collection and Analysis We extracted relevant data and coded eligible studies. Using Cochrane's RevMan software, summary effect sizes (Outcome by Time) were assessed using an independent fixed‐effects model. Standardized mean difference (SMD) effect sizes (or Cohen's d) were evaluated using a Type I error rate and an alpha of 0.05. The overall intervention effects ...

The global COVID-19 pandemic has driven innovations in methods to sustain initiatives for the design, development, evaluation, and implementation of clinical support technology in long-term care settings while removing risk of infection for residents, family members, health care workers, researchers and technical professionals. We adapted traditional design and evaluation methodology for a mobile clinical decision support app – designated Mobile Application Information System for Integrated Evidence (“MAISIE”) – to a completely digital design methodology that removes in-person contacts between the research team, developer, and nursing home staff and residents. We have successfully maintained project continuity for MAISIE app development with only minor challenges while working remotely. This digital design methodology can be implemented in projects where software can be installed without in-person technical support and remote work is feasible. Team skills, experience, and relationships are key considerations for adapting to digital environments and maintaining project momentum.