NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

How social factors during COVID-19 affected mental health in young people in South Africa

Official title: The impact of changes in social determinants of health on adolescent and young adult mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of the Asenze cohort in South Africa

Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10755168 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how things like education and jobs affected the mental health of young people in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it aims to understand these effects better so we can find ways to help improve their well-being.

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Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Health Sciences
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startAugust 15, 2023
Project endAugust 14, 2026
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$2,696,906
NIH project number1RF1MH134561-01
Project IDNIH-10755168 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 25 living in South Africa who have experienced changes in their social circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Less likely to help

Patients who are outside the age range of 12 to 25 or who do not reside in South Africa may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how changes in social determinants of health, such as education and employment, influenced the mental health of adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. By following a large group of over 1100 participants over time, the study aims to understand the long-term effects of these changes and the mechanisms behind them. The research focuses on a population that has been underrepresented in previous studies, particularly looking at how these social factors impact mental health during a critical developmental period. Participants will provide insights into their experiences, which will help identify potential intervention points for improving mental health outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for mental health issues in young people affected by social changes during the pandemic.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies linking social determinants of health to mental health outcomes during the pandemic, this longitudinal approach focusing on adolescents and young adults is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

  • Columbia University Health Sciences
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kane, Jeremy Calvin — Columbia University Health Sciences
  • Study coordinator: Kane, Jeremy Calvin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.