# Recovering from Intimate Partner Violence Through Strengths and Empowerment (RISE): Tailoring and Evaluating a Patient-Centered Counseling Intervention for Women Veterans

> **NIH VA I01** · VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Background
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major health concern for women Veterans. IPV is associated
with numerous physical and mental health conditions. VHA is implementing IPV screening
programs to identify female patients who experience past-year IPV. Despite strong evidence
that screening increases detection of IPV, less is established about how to intervene following
IPV disclosure in health care settings, in order to improve health outcomes. Existing healthcare-
based interventions result in minimal effects on health and well-being, likely because they are
too brief and generic. In response, the PI has developed Recovering from IPV through
Strengths and Empowerment (RISE), based on the IPV-related health care needs and
preferences of women Veterans. RISE is designed to be delivered in primary care and is an
individualized, variable-length, modular-based intervention that addresses 1) safety planning; 2)
education on the health effects of IPV; 3) increasing coping skills and self-care; 4) enhancing
social support; 5) making difficult decisions; and 6) connecting with resources.
Objectives
The objective of this proposal is to refine and formally evaluate RISE for women Veterans who
experience IPV. The aims are to: 1) tailor and refine RISE to accommodate differences in
service structures and personnel in different primary care settings; 2) conduct a formative
evaluation of RISE with women Veterans to inform the development of a user-friendly, tailored
implementation protocol and intervention manual; and 3) examine the effects of RISE on women
Veterans’ individual psychosocial outcomes.
Methods
We will conduct the proposed research at two Women’s Health Practice-Based Research
Network sites (Boston, MA and West Haven, CT). For Aim 1, we will tailor and refine RISE
through input from a Stakeholder Advisory Board, focus groups with Women Veterans (n=24-
32), and interviews with providers (n=24). To achieve Aim 2, we will conduct a formative open
trial of RISE (n=up to 20 women Veterans). Qualitative and quantitative findings from patients
and providers will inform the development of a user-friendly, tailored implementation protocol
and intervention manual. For Aim 3, we will conduct a Hybrid 1 randomized clinical trial (n=60)
to examine the effects of RISE on women Veterans’ psychosocial outcomes (e.g.,
empowerment, self-efficacy, health, and service use).
Anticipated Impacts on Veteran’s Health Care
VHA’s Blueprint for Excellence identifies patient-centeredness and “advancing innovations in
women Veterans’ health care” as key strategic transformational strategies. This project will help
achieve these aims by evaluating a patient-centered IPV intervention that is tailored to women
Veterans’ needs, preferences, and circumstances. It is imperative to complement current VHA
IPV screening efforts with an effective intervention. RISE fills an essential unmet need in our
healthcare system, ensuring that women Veterans who experience IPV receive ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10201718
- **Project number:** 5I01HX002178-03
- **Recipient organization:** VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine M Iverson
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-10-01 → 2021-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10201718

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10201718, Recovering from Intimate Partner Violence Through Strengths and Empowerment (RISE): Tailoring and Evaluating a Patient-Centered Counseling Intervention for Women Veterans (5I01HX002178-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10201718. Licensed CC0.

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