Family Spirit Strengths: A home visiting program to help parents and caregivers facing distress and substance use

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project builds on a community-informed Family Spirit Strengths intervention delivered through home visits to mothers and primary caregivers at elevated risk for mental health and substance use issues. It uses a Hybrid Type I Design to test how well the program reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms and substance use, while also studying how it works in real-world Tribal settings. Participants are randomized to receive either the Family Spirit Strengths program or an active control nutrition support program, with outcomes assessed six months after enrollment. The research aims to understand who benefits most and why, by exploring factors that influence effectiveness and the mechanisms at play. If successful, the approach could offer a scalable, culturally resonant prevention option to disrupt intergenerational cycles of trauma in Indigenous communities.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Johns Hopkins University
  Baltimore, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Haroz, Emily — Johns Hopkins University
• Study coordinator: Haroz, Emily

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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.