Helping women displaced by war in Ukraine avoid mental health issues
Official title: Preventing Mental Disorders Among Women Internally Displaced by War in Ukraine: The SHAWL Trial
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-10730622 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to help women who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine to prevent mental health issues by using a supportive therapy that focuses on acceptance and mindfulness, with the goal of making them feel better and more flexible in their thinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2023 |
| Project end | August 15, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $740,235 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH134077-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10730622 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by the war or who are not displaced may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on preventing mental disorders among women who have been internally displaced due to the war in Ukraine. It aims to adapt a community-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention, which emphasizes acceptance, mindfulness, and behavior change to enhance psychological flexibility. The project involves a multidisciplinary team working closely with community partners and mental health experts to deliver this intervention effectively. By addressing mental health proactively, the research seeks to mitigate the risk of developing serious mental health conditions among these vulnerable women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of mental health disorders among displaced women in Ukraine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in similar humanitarian contexts, indicating promise for this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lunze, Karsten — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lunze, Karsten
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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.