NCT04752618 · New York University
Safe Mothers, Safe Children Initiative
(SMSC)
What this study is about
The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the combined interventions, Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) or P-STAIR, for treating maternal PTSD and reducing maltreatment recidivism.
View original scientific description
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of the combined interventions, Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) or P-STAIR, for treating maternal PTSD and reducing maltreatment recidivism.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
P-STAIR
PCIT+ STAIR
BEHAVIORAL
Supportive Counseling
Non-trauma focused psychotherapy
Primary outcome measures
Post-traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale for the DSM-5 (PDS-5)
Time frame: Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to mid-treatment at session 9 and 16 to upon completion of treatment (an average of 43 weeks) to six-month follow-up after treatment completion
Post-traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale for the DSM-5 (PDS-5) is a 24-item self-report measure of PTSD symptoms over the last month. Items are rated on a 5-point scale of frequency and severity ranging from 0 ("not at all") to 4 ("6 or more times a week/severe"). Higher scores indicate more severe PTSD symptoms. PDS-5 will be used to monitor change in PTSD symptoms over treatment implementation. PDS-5 is also used during the baseline to evaluate for inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D)
Time frame: Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to mid-treatment at session 9 and 16 to upon completion of treatment (an average of 43 weeks) to six-month follow-up after treatment completion
Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) is a 20-item self-report measure of symptoms associated with depression, such as restless sleep, poor appetite, and feeling lonely. Items are rated on a 3-point scale ranging from 0 ("rarely or none of the time") to 3 ("most or almost all of the time"). Scores range from 0 to 60, with high scores indicating greater depressive symptoms. CES-D will be used to assess change in depression symptoms over treatment implementation.
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System-IV (DPICS)
Time frame: Change from baseline (pre-treatment) to mid-treatment at session 16 to upon completion of treatment (an average of 43 weeks) to six-month follow-up after treatment completion
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System-IV (DPICS) examines the quality of parent-child social interaction in three 5-minute situations: child-directed play, parent-directed play, and clean-up. Positive skills include praise, reflect, and describe, and negative skills include questions, commands, and criticisms. Observations are coded by trained DPICS scorers to produce total scores. DPICS scores allow us to track the changes in positive and negative parenting scores over treatment implementation.
New foster care removals
Time frame: Every six-months for 10 years
Data is collected through the New York State Child Welfare Registry (NYSCWR) semi-annually on the number of out-of-home placements for 10 years for completers and non-completers who have consented into the study. Number of new foster care removals are located by unique NYSCWR identifiers collected at time of consent. Out-of-home placement data, in addition to new substantiated welfare reports, will be used to assess recidivism.
New child abuse/neglect welfare reports
Time frame: Every six-months for 10 years
Data is collected through the New York State Child Welfare Registry (NYSCWR) semi-annually on the number of substantiated abuse/neglect reports for 10 years for completers and non-completers who have consented into the study. Number of new substantiated reports are located by unique NYSCWR identifiers collected at time of consent. New substantiated welfare reports, as well as out-of-home placement data, will be used to assess recidivism.
Family Preservation Services Usual Care (FPSUC) reports
Time frame: Throughout study completion, an average 43 weeks
Family Preservation Services Usual Care (FPSUC) is extracted from electronic records that agencies use to document services. FPSUC details the number of services accessed in preventative agencies for clients. Data will be used to statistically control for FPSUC.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Receiving preventive services at the time of the consent session to participate in the study
- Meeting a severity score of 28 or higher OR probable DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD (PDS-5)
- Having 1-10-year-old child
- Being the legal guardian for the child with physical and legal custody
- Being able to read, write, and speak English or Spanish
Exclusion criteria
- Having suicidal ideation present in the past month prior to pre-assessment or reports of a suicide attempt in the past year (SCID-5)
- Meeting a diagnosis of severe substance or alcohol use disorder (≥ 6 symptoms on SCID) AND not in early remission (≥3 months without meeting any substance or alcohol use disorder criteria (except craving)
- Having current or active symptoms of psychosis in the past month
- Having a disability affecting communication, such as deafness
- Having an index child with a developmental condition that impedes cognitive and/or physical functioning, e.g. autism
- Having an index child with current symptoms or diagnosis of psychosis as defined by the DSM-5 in the past 3 months
- Experiencing current or history of intimate partner violence (IPV) or family violence: If there is a history of IPV/family violence and the relationship is no longer active, the relationship must have ended for at least ninety days with no intention of restarting; If there is a history of IPV/family violence, but the relationship is ongoing, there must not have been an IPV/family violence event for at least one year Inclusion criteria (clinicians): \- Must be a currently or formerly hired Study Clinician or Clinical Director with Safe Mothers, Safe Children. Exclusion criteria (clinicians): \- There are no exclusion criteria for this population. Participants in this population will cease completion of therapist-copy measures upon the conclusion of their role with Safe Mothers, Safe Children, or upon withdrawal from participation in these measures.
Where
- New York, New York
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced May 7, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations