Empowering Perinatal Adolescents Through Writing

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · Jan 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a type of therapy called Written Exposure Therapy (WET) to help pregnant and postpartum young women who are dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can happen after someone has experienced a traumatic event, and this study aims to see if writing about those experiences can help improve their mental health. The trial is currently looking for participants aged 15 to 24 who are either at least 12 weeks pregnant or within one year after giving birth. To join the study, participants need to be willing to follow the study procedures and be able to read, write, and speak in English or Spanish.

If you or someone you know is eligible and decides to participate, you can expect to engage in writing exercises designed to help process trauma and improve symptoms related to PTSD. The study is designed to ensure safety, so participants will be screened for any conditions that could make participation unsafe. While this study may provide support for managing PTSD, it is important to remember that it is not for everyone, especially those with certain mental health conditions like severe psychosis or those who have recently undergone similar therapies.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
• • 2. Have been referred by a clinician to the study or receiving standard of care treatment for pregnancy or post-partum follow-up
• • 3. Aged 15-24 at time of screening
• • 4. Either have Gestational age \>12 weeks or be \<1 year postpartum at time of screening
• • 5. Able and willing to provide informed consent if 18 years of age or above or the legal guardian must be able and willing to provide informed consent if participant is less than 18 years of age and participant willing and able to provide assent if less than 18 years of age
• • 6. Able to read, write and speak in English and Spanish; if the participant is under age 18, parents must be able to understand spoken or written English or Spanish.
• • 7. Have the ability to complete clinical evaluations and self-report measures.
• • 8. Meet diagnostic or subthreshold criteria for PTSD.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Have any condition for which, in the opinion of the investigator or designee, study participation would not be in their best interest (including but not limited to cognitive impairment, unstable general medical condition, intoxication, active psychosis) or that could prevent, limit, or confound the protocol-specified assessments.
• • 2. Have current mania, hypomania, or psychosis
• • 3. Be at serious suicidal risk that cannot be managed in the outpatient setting
• • 4. Pervasive or intellectual developmental disorder requiring substantial or very substantial support.
• • 5. Currently receiving or having received course of exposure-based therapy (e.g. WET, PE, CPT, or TF-CBT) in the past six months