Building mental-health support for orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa
MISC-CBO: A cluster randomized control trial to improve the mental health of OVC in South Africa
A year-long program trains community careworkers using video feedback so 7–11 year old orphaned or vulnerable children in South Africa can have stronger caregiver bonds and better mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158653 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child joins, they would be connected through a local community-based organization where careworkers receive a structured year-long video-feedback coaching program called MISC to strengthen caregiving and attachment. The project randomly assigns whole CBO sites to deliver MISC or usual services and follows children over time to see how their mental health and resilience change. We collect information through visits, questionnaires, and community input to understand both child outcomes and what it would take to roll the program out more widely. A community advisory board helps shape the work so it fits local needs and can be sustained.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children aged 7–11 who are orphaned or otherwise designated as vulnerable and are served by participating community-based organizations in South Africa are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Children who are younger or older than 7–11, not served by participating CBOs, or those needing immediate specialized psychiatric care may not receive direct benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve emotional wellbeing, reduce behavior problems, and build resilience before adolescence for vulnerable children.
How similar studies have performed: A prior quasi-experimental feasibility trial of MISC-CBO in Sesotho-speaking children showed reduced mental health problems, but this larger randomized trial aims to confirm and expand those findings.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharp, Carla — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Sharp, Carla
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 below.