Exploring how poverty and depression affect rural Bangladeshi women
Official title: ASHA 2: An Ethnographic Study Embedded in a Depression Treatment Trial
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10746492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how poverty and depression affect women living in rural Bangladesh, and it’s testing a program that offers both emotional support and financial help to see if it can improve their mental health and ability to earn a living.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $348,104 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH134421-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10746492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are rural Bangladeshi women experiencing depression and living in poverty.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of rural Bangladesh or those not experiencing depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the intertwined issues of poverty and depression among women in rural Bangladesh. It employs an integrated intervention model that combines psychological support with economic assistance to improve mental health and economic productivity. The study involves a cluster randomized trial where groups of women receive either combined treatment or psychological support alone, while also embedding an ethnographic approach to understand the social contexts influencing these outcomes. By examining the experiences of participants, the research aims to generate insights that can enhance intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health and economic conditions for women suffering from depression in low-income settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrated interventions addressing both mental health and economic factors can be effective, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karasz, Alison — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Karasz, Alison
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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.