Family program to reduce depression and partner violence for young married women in Nepal
Official title: A randomized controlled trial of a Multi-component family Intervention to Lower depression and Address intimate Partner violence (MILAP) among young women in Nepal
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11521317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program brings together young married women, their husbands, and mothers‑in‑law to reduce depression and intimate partner violence and improve family support in Nepal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $343,473 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH135376-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11521317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are young married women in Nepal who are experiencing intimate partner violence or depressive symptoms, together with their husbands and mothers‑in‑law who agree to participate.
✕Less likely to help
Women who do not live with a husband or mother‑in‑law, people outside the study communities, or those needing immediate protective shelter or crisis care may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
If you join, you and selected family members would take part in MILAP, a multi‑part program that uses problem‑solving and behavioral skills similar to cognitive behavioral therapy alongside family sessions to address conflict and safety. Some households will be offered the full MILAP program while others will receive the usual services, with participants randomly assigned so researchers can compare results. The team will track changes in mood, safety, and family relationships over time and will collect interviews to understand how family dynamics affect recovery. All activities will be carried out in local communities in Nepal by the study team.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the program works, it could reduce depressive symptoms and partner violence and strengthen family support for young women.
How similar studies have gone: Therapies like CBT and some family interventions have helped reduce depression or violence after separation, but combining a family‑focused program that actively engages husbands and mothers‑in‑law for young married women in Nepal is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acharya, Bibhav — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Acharya, Bibhav
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Family program to reduce depression and partner violence for young women in Nepal
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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.