Helping parents cope with emotions in the NICU

Empower NICU - A Bridge to Resources for Adjusting and Coping with Emotions (EmBRACE)

NIH-funded research Drexel University · NIH-10916492

This study is all about helping parents of babies in the NICU who might be feeling really stressed or anxious, by using a mobile app that offers mental health support and resources to make their journey a little easier.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDrexel University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10916492 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on supporting parents of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) who often experience high levels of emotional distress, including depression and anxiety. It aims to implement a mobile health intervention that provides timely mental health support and resources to these parents, addressing their unique challenges and needs. By utilizing technology, the project seeks to facilitate universal screening and ongoing mental health assessments, ensuring that parents receive the necessary support while managing their infant's care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of infants currently receiving care in a NICU setting.

Not a fit: Parents whose infants are not in the NICU or those who are not experiencing emotional distress may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the mental health and coping mechanisms of parents with infants in the NICU.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success with mobile health interventions in improving mental health outcomes for parents in similar high-stress situations.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.