Helping students cope with the effects of family incarceration

Supporting Student Health and Resiience

NIH-funded research California State University Northridge · NIH-10874488

This study is looking at a school program called Pain of the Prison System (POPS) that helps teens whose families are affected by incarceration, using creative activities to build friendships and support, so they can better handle tough experiences and improve their mental health and school performance.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCalifornia State University Northridge NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Northridge, United States)
Project IDNIH-10874488 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on supporting adolescents whose families are involved in the criminal justice system, particularly those affected by household incarceration. It aims to evaluate a school-based program called Pain of the Prison System (POPS), which integrates socio-emotional learning through creative and artistic activities. The program seeks to foster connections among peers and caring adults, helping students build resilience and cope with the challenges posed by adverse childhood experiences. By assessing the program's effectiveness, the research aims to identify strategies that can improve the mental health and academic outcomes of these youth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 18 who have experienced household incarceration.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of family incarceration or are outside the age range of 12 to 18 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide effective strategies to enhance the emotional well-being and academic success of students impacted by family incarceration.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using school-based programs to support at-risk youth, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Northridge, 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.