Helping preschool children by supporting their mothers' mental health

Improving Preschool Outcomes by Addressing Maternal Depression in Head Start

NIH-funded research Brown University · NIH-11032807

This study is looking to help preschool kids from low-income families by supporting their moms who might be feeling down, so they can both thrive together in school and life.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrown University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11032807 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving the outcomes of preschool children in low-income families by addressing maternal depression. It involves a stepped-care intervention where mothers with mild depressive symptoms receive a prevention program, while those with more severe symptoms are connected to mental health services. The study will take place in Head Start centers in Massachusetts, aiming to provide effective support to mothers and enhance their children's development and academic success. The approach is based on proven methods and seeks to create a coordinated intervention for a broad population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are mothers of preschool-aged children enrolled in Head Start programs who are experiencing depressive symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who are not mothers of preschool-aged children or those not experiencing depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health for mothers and better developmental and academic outcomes for their children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar community-based interventions aimed at alleviating maternal depression and improving child outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Providence, 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.