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Violence and VictimizationNCT07277816

Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening (PEARL) to Promote Healing Engagement for Survivors of Violence

A study testing PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening) in people with Violence and Victimization, run by Temple University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a photo-elicitation intervention called PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening) can promote healing engagement in survivors of interpersonal violence. It will also learn about the feasibility and acceptability of PEARL. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Violence and Victimization
What is being tested?
PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
37 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Dec 2025to 1 Aug 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 18 years or older
  • History of interpersonal violence (IV) - identifies as a survivor of interpersonal violence
  • Able to complete an interview in English
  • Able to provide informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Under 18 years of age
  • Does not identify as a woman (male participants excluded)
  • No history of interpersonal violence
  • Unable to complete an interview in English
  • Unable to provide informed consent

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Women in Transition

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening (PEARL) to Promote Healing Engagement for Survivors of Violence: A Feasibility Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a photo-elicitation intervention called PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening) can promote healing engagement in survivors of interpersonal violence. It will also learn about the feasibility and acceptability of PEARL. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does PEARL reduce barriers to help-seeking for trauma? Does PEARL improve trauma coping self-efficacy? Does PEARL change post-trauma cognitions and readiness for recovery? Is PEARL feasible and acceptable to survivors of interpersonal violence?

Read more

Researchers will compare people who receive PEARL immediately to people on a waitlist (who receive PEARL three months later) to see if PEARL improves healing engagement and help-seeking behaviors.

Participants will:

  • Complete baseline surveys about their trauma history, mental health, healing, and help-seeking behaviors
  • Be randomly assigned to receive PEARL immediately or after a 3-month wait
  • Receive a photography-focusing prompt and create photos over two weeks (those in the immediate group or after the waiting period)
  • Participate in a reflective listening interview about their photos
  • Complete follow-up surveys immediately after the intervention and one month later
  • Participate in a one-month follow-up interview about their experience
Read the detailed description

This is a randomized waitlist control feasibility study of the PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening) intervention for women survivors of interpersonal violence. The study will enroll 40 participants recruited through local community organizations, interpersonal violence email listservs, and social media platforms.

Randomization and Study Arms:

Interested participants will complete an online baseline questionnaire through Qualtrics and be randomly assigned (1:1) to either:

  1. Immediate Intervention Group (n=20): Receives PEARL within two weeks of enrollment
  2. Waitlist Control Group (n=20): Receives a resource referral list (standard of care) and completes PEARL three months later

Intervention Protocol:

The PEARL intervention consists of two components:

  1. Participants receive a photography-focusing prompt and have two weeks to create photographs
  2. Participants complete a reflective listening interview about their photographs

Assessment Schedule:

  • Baseline: Demographics, trauma history, and outcome measures
  • Post-intervention: Outcome measures completed immediately after the intervention (trauma coping self-efficacy, post trauma cognitions, healing)
  • One-month follow-up: Outcome measures and qualitative interview (trauma coping self-efficacy, post trauma cognitions, healing, help-seeking actions, depression, anxiety, PTSD).

The waitlist control group completes an additional baseline survey three months after initial enrollment, which serves as their pre-intervention assessment.

Data Analysis: Feasibility will be assessed through completion rates, and research assistant evaluations. Acceptability will be evaluated through participant surveys and follow-up interviews. Preliminary impact on healing engagement and help-seeking will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests. Qualitative data from open-ended survey questions, research assistant evaluations, and follow-up interviews will undergo thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative findings will be integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of PEARL's feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact.

Community Engagement: The study incorporates feedback from Community Advisory Board (CAB) and Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) members throughout the research process. Purposive sampling strategies will be employed to achieve maximum diversity in participant age.

Being tested
PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening)
Keywords
healing, recovery, violence, trauma
Medical subject headings
Wounds and Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening)Behavioural

    Also called Photo-elicitation intervention for trauma survivors

    PEARL is a two-component behavioral intervention designed to promote healing engagement among survivors of interpersonal violence. Participants receive a photography-focusing prompt and are given two weeks to create photographs that reflect their healing journey and experiences. After the two-week photography period, participants engage in a one-on-one reflective listening interview where they discuss the photographs they created and co-create a healing action plan based on these discussions. The interview provides a structured opportunity for participants to explore and articulate their healing process through photo-elicitation, allowing them to express their experiences visually and verbally. The intervention is delivered by trained research assistants with fidelity monitoring through audio recording and independent evaluation of a random sample of sessions.

Study groups in NCT07277816
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Immediate Intervention GroupExperimentalParticipants randomized to this arm receive the PEARL intervention within two weeks of enrollment. They are given a photography-focusing prompt and two weeks to create photographs reflecting their healing journey. After two weeks, they participate in a reflective listening interview about their photographs. Participants complete surveys at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up, as well as a qualitative interview at one-month follow-up.
Receives: Behavioral: PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening)
Waitlist Control GroupActive comparatorParticipants randomized to this arm receive a resource referral list (standard of care) and wait three months before receiving the PEARL intervention. They complete baseline surveys at enrollment and again at three months (pre-intervention baseline). After the three-month waiting period, they receive the same PEARL intervention as the immediate group: a photography-focusing prompt, two weeks to create photographs, and a reflective listening interview. They complete post-intervention and one-month follow-up assessments following their intervention.
Receives: Behavioral: PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Post-trauma Cognitions Inventory (PTCI)

    The PTCI is a self-report measure used to assess posttraumatic cognitions. It is composed of three subscales: Negative Cognitions about the Self, Negative Cognitions about the World, and Self-Blame. Higher scores indicate more negative trauma-related cognitions. The minimum score one can receive is 33 and the maximum score is 231.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (approximately 2-4 weeks after baseline), and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)

  2. Trauma Coping Self-efficacy Scale

    The Trauma Coping Self-efficacy Scale is a 7-item measure that covers trauma-related coping self-efficacy including: dealing with reminders of the event, dealing with emotions associated with the event, employing active coping strategies, and resuming normal functioning. Higher scores indicate greater confidence in ability to cope with trauma. The minimum score one can receive is 0 and the maximum score is 63.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (approximately 2-4 weeks after baseline), and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)

  3. Healing after Gender-based Violence Scale

    This 18-item scale measures holistic healing after trauma. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 ('Not at all') to 5 ('To a great extent'). Respondents are asked to evaluate each statement in reference to their perceived lowest point and their current feelings. This measure captures holistic healing outcomes beyond symptom reduction. Higher scores indicate greater levels of healing.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (approximately 2-4 weeks after baseline), and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

    The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms according to DSM-5 criteria. Response options are on a 5-point Likert scale with anchors: 0 = not at all, 4 = extremely. Items assess intrusion symptoms, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. A total symptom severity score (range 0-80) can be obtained by summing the scores for each of the 20 items. A score of 33 is the current clinical cut-off for probable PTSD.

    Measured: Baseline and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)

  2. Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8)

    The PHQ-8 is an eight-item, self-administered scale based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for major depression, identical to the PHQ-9 but without the suicide item. Each item is scored on a four-point scale with responses ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), assessing depression symptom frequency over the past two weeks. Total scores range from 0-24. A PHQ-8 score of 10 or more has been found to have 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity for diagnosis of major depression based on clinical interview. This measure captures depression as a healing outcome related to symptom reduction.

    Measured: Baseline and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)

  3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

    The GAD-7 is a 7-item self-report questionnaire for screening and measuring the severity of generalized anxiety disorder. Response options are identical to the PHQ-8, with items scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), assessing anxiety symptom frequency over the past two weeks. Total scores range from 0 to 21, with scores of ≥5, ≥10, and ≥15 representing mild, moderate, and severe anxiety symptom levels, respectively. This measure captures anxiety as a healing outcome related to symptom reduction.

    Measured: Baseline and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)

  4. Trauma Recovery Actions Checklist (TRAC)

    The TRAC is a 35-item checklist of recovery actions that participants are currently using, want to use, or do not want to use. The checklist provides a comprehensive assessment of various recovery strategies and actions. Subscales include: building positive emotions, sharing and connecting with others, reflecting and creating healing spaces, establishing security, and futuring (planning for the future). This measure captures the range of recovery actions participants are taking or considering to support their healing journey.

    Measured: Baseline and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 Dec 2025
  2. Study start1 Dec 2025
  3. Primary completion1 Aug 2026
  4. Study completion1 Aug 2026

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Participants are randomized to receive the PEARL intervention either immediately or after a 3-month waiting period, with the waitlist control group crossing over to receive the intervention after their waiting period ends.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
37 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07277816
Sponsor's protocol ID
272926
Other IDs
5K01NR021275-02
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
1 Dec 2025
Last updated
8 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers due to the highly sensitive and potentially identifying nature of data collected from survivors of interpersonal violence. The study involves qualitative interviews, photographs, and detailed personal trauma histories that, even when de-identified, could pose risks to participant privacy and safety if shared. Protecting participant confidentiality is paramount given the vulnerable nature of this population and the potential for harm if participants were re-identified. However, aggregate data and de-identified findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and reports to community partners as outlined in the study's dissemination plan.

Publications

  • Sinko L, Saint Arnault D. Photo-experiencing and reflective listening: A trauma-informed photo-elicitation method to explore day-to-day health experiences. Public Health Nurs. 2021 Jul;38(4):661-670. doi: 10.1111/phn.12904. Epub 2021 Apr 4.

    PubMed 33813744

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing PEARL (Photo-experiencing and Reflective Listening) in people with Violence and Victimization, run by Temple University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Post-trauma Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) (time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (approximately 2-4 weeks after baseline), and 1-month follow-up (approximately 6-8 weeks after baseline)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07277816, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Oct 2026.

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