NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Exploring how post-separation abuse affects children's health and well-being

Official title: Understanding the Impact of Post-Separation Abuse on Children's Health and Flourishing Outcomes

Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11012886 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how ongoing abuse that mothers face after leaving an abusive partner affects their children's health and happiness, and it's for moms who have experienced this kind of violence.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startJanuary 12, 2023
Project endJanuary 11, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$52,538
NIH project number5F31HD111297-03
Project IDNIH-11012886 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-11 years who have experienced post-separation abuse due to their mother's history of intimate partner violence.

Less likely to help

Patients who have not experienced post-separation abuse or whose mothers have not been victims of intimate partner violence may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of ongoing abuse experienced by mothers after separating from an abusive partner and how it affects their children's health and overall well-being. By using a mixed-methods approach, the study will first gather qualitative data from mothers who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) to understand their experiences and the challenges their children face. It will then quantitatively assess whether children exposed to post-separation abuse have different health needs and levels of school engagement compared to children in the general population. The goal is to develop new measures to better capture the effects of post-separation abuse on children's health outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and support for children affected by post-separation abuse, ultimately enhancing their health and flourishing outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the effects of adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Spearman, Kathryn Jane — Johns Hopkins University
  • Study coordinator: Spearman, Kathryn Jane

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.