The computerized intervention
The intervention was a computer-based, brief intervention to reduce substance use among residents of domestic violence shelters with IPV. The intervention used a sophisticated intervention development tool, the CIAS which is highly interactive with immediate responses to most input, occasional summaries, branching based on participant characteristics, responses, or preferences, and empathic reflections. The intervention consisted of a 50-minute intervention on the Tablet PC and a 15-minute “booster” session on the Tablet PC two weeks after the 50-minute intervention session to reinforce the effects of the intervention. Both sessions took place in a private shelter setting while the participant was a resident of the shelter. The computer-based intervention and booster session were conducted in a private space at the domestic violence shelter during participants’ shelter stay. The intervention took place during participants’ shelter stay because women are more likely to initiate changes when they are in a supportive environment. In addition, digital interventions raise privacy and safety concerns for women who live with their abusive partner.Motivational strategies such as reflective listening and tailored summaries and feedback were utilized to enhance participants’ motivation. The intervention presented personalized feedback from the baseline assessment. Next the intervention delivered psychoeducation about participant’s substance use and associated risks for the woman, including partner substance use; the bidirectional relationship between substance use and IPV; and risks of untreated substance use such as increased risk of IPV. The intervention was tailored based on the current substance use status of each participant (see 