Effectiveness of Online and Digital App-Based Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence, Dating Violence, and Coercive Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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Objective: This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of online and digital app-based interventions in reducing intimate partner violence, dating violence, and coercive control, improving safety behaviors, and enhancing mental and physical health outcomes among individuals experiencing or at risk of such violence.
Methods and Materials: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for controlled studies published from January 2015 to January 2026. Eligible interventions were delivered primarily via web platforms or mobile apps. Quantitative synthesis used random-effects meta-analysis (mean difference (MD), 95% CI) for comparable outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane RoB 2.
Findings: Twenty-five studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Primary outcomes were changes in relationship violence (incidence, frequency, or severity) and safety behaviors; secondary outcomes included mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD) and physical health. Digital interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms (MD = −0.58 to −0.77) and anxiety (MD = −1.60) at 0–3 months, improved physical outcomes at 3–6 months (MD = −0.75), and decreased PTSD symptoms at 3–6 months (MD = −0.21 after outlier removal) and >6 months (MD = −1.12). Sexual victimization showed a significant difference at 3–6 months (MD = 0.52), but results require cautious interpretation due to possible variability in instrument scoring (higher scores = greater victimization) and potential increased reporting/awareness post-intervention. Heterogeneity ranged from low to very high.
Conclusion: Online-digital interventions show promising short-term benefits for depression-anxiety and mid- to longer-term gains in physical health/PTSD. They should complement trauma-informed services, prioritizing digital safety and privacy.
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