Positive Processes and Transition to Health - Single-Session (PATH-SS)

Launched by CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · Mar 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Positive Processes and Transition to Health - Single Session (PATH-SS) clinical trial is studying a new type of therapy designed to help people who are dealing with distress after a sexual assault. This brief therapy aims to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in participants. The researchers want to find out if this therapy is effective, how helpful participants find it, and if they follow through with the treatment.

To join the study, individuals must be between 18 to 65 years old, have experienced unwanted sexual contact or assault during their college years, and have been dealing with related emotional symptoms for at least a month. Participants will first complete an assessment to see if they qualify and, if eligible, will receive the therapy in a single session. After the session, they will share their experiences and symptoms in follow-up assessments to help understand the therapy's impact. It’s important to note that individuals with certain mental health diagnoses or those living outside Ohio may not be eligible to participate.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age range: from 18 to 65.
• • 2. Has experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault during their time as a college student, with a minimum of 12 weeks since the event and a maximum of 5 years since the event.
• • 3. Enrolled in any undergraduate, graduate, or professional program at a college or university in the state of Ohio.
• • 4. Elevated symptoms on either the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS-5) or the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR), at least moderate: 18 on PDS-5 (Foa et al., 2016) and/or 11 on QIDS (moderate depression severity; Rush et al., 2003), with symptoms persisting for 1 month or longer.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or organic mental disorder as defined by DSM-5.
• • 2. Current diagnosis of bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features, or depression severe enough to require immediate psychiatric treatment (i.e., serious suicide risk with intent and plan).
• • 3. Severe self-injurious behavior or suicide attempt within the previous three months.
• • 4. Currently engaged in cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.
• • 5. No clear memory of the event.
• • 6. Unstable dose of psychotropic medications in prior 3 months.
• • 7. Ongoing intimate relationship with the perpetrator.
• • 8. Current diagnosis of a substance use disorder (DSM-5).
• • 9. Residence outside the state of Ohio.