Improving mental health for orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa
MISC-CBO: A cluster randomized control trial to improve the mental health of OVC in South Africa
This study is looking at how a special program can help caregivers support the mental health of orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa, especially those aged 7 to 11, by improving their interactions through video feedback.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10876355 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the mental health of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in South Africa through a community-based intervention. It utilizes a program called Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC-CBO), which trains community careworkers to better support children's mental health needs. The intervention involves video feedback and aims to improve caregiver-child interactions, particularly for children aged 7-11 years. By conducting a cluster randomized trial, the research will assess the effectiveness of this approach and its potential for broader implementation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 7-11 years who are orphans or considered vulnerable due to socio-economic factors.
Not a fit: Children outside the age range of 7-11 years or those not classified as orphans or vulnerable may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the mental health outcomes of orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar community-based interventions aimed at improving mental health in vulnerable populations.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharp, Carla — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Sharp, Carla
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 below.