A program to help Indigenous mothers and their children reduce substance use and suicide risk.
Official title: Research Project 1
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10913558 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special home visiting program called 'Family Spirit®' helps Indigenous mothers and their children over a long time, focusing on things like parenting, stress, and mental health, to see if it can make a positive difference in their lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $615,107 |
| NIH project number | 5P50DA058619-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913558 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Indigenous mothers and their children who participated in the Family Spirit program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Indigenous or who did not participate in the Family Spirit program may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-term effects of a culturally tailored home visiting program called 'Family Spirit®' on Indigenous mothers and their children. The program, designed by and for American Indian communities, focuses on promoting positive parenting and addressing issues like maternal stress, substance use, and depression. Participants will be followed for 16 years after exiting the program to assess the impact on substance use and suicide rates. The study aims to provide valuable insights into how early interventions can improve health outcomes for Indigenous families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce substance use and suicide rates among Indigenous populations, leading to healthier families and communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with culturally tailored interventions in Indigenous populations, indicating a promising approach for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barlow, Mary Allison — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Barlow, Mary Allison
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.