How a simple, evidence-based approach helps mothers and kids in Peru feel better
Official title: Evaluating the effectiveness of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) in Peru: Mechanisms of individual and intergenerational change
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11474425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a flexible, lay-delivered mental-health program called CETA for mothers of young children in Lima to improve family well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $193,119 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HD116815-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11474425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Mothers of children aged 4–6 in Lima, Peru, living in low-resource communities and participating in an integrated community care setting.
✕Less likely to help
Families who do not respond to the intervention or who have conditions not addressed by CETA may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project will evaluate how well the Common Elements Treatment Approach works for mothers of 4–6 year-olds in an impoverished Lima district, using trained non-specialists to deliver care. It will look at direct effects on mothers and indirect effects on their children, families, and economic factors over time. The research will explore how delivery quality and neighborhood context influence outcomes, and it will measure sustainability and cost-effectiveness in a real-world community setting. By focusing on a Spanish-speaking population in a low-resource setting, the study aims to inform scalable approaches to child and family mental health. The results could guide future programs that extend evidence-based care to similar communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families could experience better mental health, stronger child outcomes, and more cost-effective access to care.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show transdiagnostic, lay-delivered interventions can improve mental health in similar settings, with ongoing questions about long-term and indirect effects.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller-Graff, Laura E. — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Miller-Graff, Laura E.
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.