This study is testing a smartphone-delivered program to help women living in informal settlements in Kenya manage intimate partner violence (IPV) and stress related to extreme weather events. Women in these communities often face high levels of violence from partners, challenges caused by climate-related events, and limited access to support services.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a mobile intervention or a comparison condition. The mobile program provides short, tailored sessions that help women learn safety planning, coping skills, and strategies for adapting to climate-related stress. The program also offers tools to improve communication and strengthen social support.
The main goal of the study is to see whether this smartphone-based approach can reduce the frequency and severity of IPV over 12 months. The study will also examine changes in stress levels, self-confidence in handling problems, social support, and safety behaviors.
Results from this study may help create accessible, scalable support for women experiencing IPV and climate-related stress in similar settings.
Female
Age 18 years or older
Resident of Kibera or Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
Speaks Swahili or English
No past-year intimate partner violence reported in parent study
Did not participate in the parent study (1R21MH127356)
Under 18 years of age
Unable to provide informed consent
Parallel
Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMI
BehavioralParticipants receive a single-session mobile WINGS intervention with self-administered activities on psychoeducation about IPV types/mechanisms, motivation building, safety planning/revision, goal setting, social support enhancement, service needs identification, referral linkage, and self-care planning. Content adapted to address climate change-IPV linkages. Over 9 months following extreme weather events (heatwaves, cold spells, heavy rainfall), participants receive 2 weeks of daily EMI morning prompts with personalized, revisable safety plans, SOS contact lists, and updated IPV service referrals. Daily questions assess IPV self-efficacy, safety plan implementation, social support, and service utilization. Kenya Meteorological Department provides localized 24-hour forecasts. Delivered via decoy wellness app with PIN protection and untraceable SOS button. Study smartphone, monthly data package, and on-call counselor provided.
Single-Session Mobile WINGS
BehavioralParticipants receive a single-session mobile WINGS intervention with self-administered activities on psychoeducation about IPV type, motivation building, safety planning/revision, goal setting, social support enhancement, service needs identification, referral linkage, and self-care planning. Content adapted to address climate change-IPV linkages. Delivered via decoy wellness app with personalized PIN protection and untraceable SOS button that sends pre-written texts to emergency contacts. Participants complete intervention once following enrollment. No event-triggered EMI prompts following extreme weather events. Continuous access to SOS emergency protocols, emergency contact setup, and regularly updated lists of local IPV-related services. Study smartphone, monthly data package, and on-call counselor provided
Incidence and Severity of Intimate Partner Violence (VAR CORR-5)
Measured using the WHO IPV diagnostic (VAW CORR-5) instrument, which includes subscales for controlling behaviors and sexual, physical, and emotional IPV.
Safety Behaviors (Safety Behavior Checklist)
Measured using an adapted 7-item Safety Behavior Checklist. Assesses use of safety behaviors including hiding money, hiding an extra set of house keys, establishing a safety code/protocol with family or friends, asking neighbors to call police if violence begins, removing weapons from the house, preparing a safety packet with important documents (national IDs, birth certificates), preparing a list of important phone numbers for emergencies, hiding a bag with extra clothing, and setting aside money or other valuables for safety purposes.
Receipt of IPV-Related Services (SRI)
Measured using the Services Receipt Inventory (SRI). Assesses whether participants have received services, counseling, or support for partner abuse.
Social Support (ESSI)
Measured with the 6-item Enriched Social Support Inventory (ESSI), which assesses the availability of emotional and instrumental support and advice for relationship conflict or problems with intimate partners and other issues
Perceived Stress (PSS)
Measured using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Assesses degree to which situations are felt as stressful over the past month
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB)
Lead sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
