Actively Recruiting
Improving Adult Protective Services Client Outcomes: A Stepped-Care Social and Mental Health Engagement Program
Led by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston ยท Updated on 2026-06-03
400
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
T
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Lead Sponsor
D
Department of Health and Human Services
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating an 8-week social engagement program designed to reduce depression and increase social interaction among seniors transitioning out of Adult Protective Services (APS) due to elder abuse or self-neglect. The goal is to test if this stepped-care program is feasible and effective for improving mental health and social support in this vulnerable population. The study compares two groups: one receiving the stepped-care social and mental health engagement where college students make weekly hour-long calls to older adults, assessing mental health symptoms and offering counseling referrals if needed; and the usual APS care group, which receives phone calls for data collection followed by a shorter 6-week version of the engagement program. Participants in the usual care group may continue calls if mutually agreed. Participants will be involved in weekly phone calls for 8 weeks with assessments of depression, anxiety, loneliness, social support, resilience, and recurrence of elder mistreatment or self-neglect. Questionnaires like the Duke Social Support Index, UCLA Loneliness Scale, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 are used at the start, 4-week, and 8-week marks. Researchers monitor mental health changes and safety outcomes up to one month after the final call. The study is randomized and includes adults aged 65 and older.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Improving Adult Protective Services Client Outcomes: A Stepped-Care Social and Mental Health Engagement Program
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 65 years or older
- Confirmed case of elder mistreatment or self-neglect validated by Adult Protective Services
- Able to provide informed consent
- Able to speak English or Spanish
- Able to hear sufficiently to use the telephone
- Currently transitioning out of Adult Protective Services intervention (case closure phase)
- College or university student enrolled in a health-related program (for student participants)
- Student committed to making 8 weekly consecutive calls
- Student completed required 1-hour training and assessment
You will not qualify if you...
- Individuals needing a proxy to consent
- Suspected or confirmed impairments in decision-making capacity
- Uncontrolled psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, paranoia, delusion, or delirium
- Students participating only to fulfill an educational requirement
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or phone)
Duration - 6 to 8 weeks
Participants receive weekly phone calls lasting up to 1 hour each for 6 to 8 weeks. The calls include assessment of depression and anxiety symptoms, with potential referral to counseling services if needed.
Weekly calls for 6 to 8 weeks
Duration - 1 month
Participants are monitored for recurrence of elder mistreatment or self-neglect for 1 month after the final call.
Monitoring via phone after treatment ends
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jason Burnett, PhD
J
Jordan Broussard, MS
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here