Can a 14-Session program help stop partner violence? new pilot study hints at possibilities
NCT ID NCT06975137
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested a program called Zithandani Stepping Stones and Creating Futures with 104 young heterosexual couples in South Africa. The program involved 14 group sessions focused on improving communication, changing gender norms, and building livelihoods. The goal was to see if the program is feasible, acceptable, and safe, and whether it might reduce intimate partner violence and improve mental health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Zithandani Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (behavioral intervention)
What this could lead to
If successful, this program could offer a practical way to reduce intimate partner violence and improve relationships and mental health for young couples in South Africa.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study with no control group, so results may not be generalizable. The program requires a significant time commitment (14 sessions of 3 hours each), which may limit participation.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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South African Medical Research Council
Durban, South Africa