Improving mental health in fathers to benefit their children in Kenya
Official title: A brief, task-shifted treatment to improve father depression and child outcomes in Kenya: A pilot effectiveness-implementation trial
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-11139234 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help dads in Kenya who are struggling with depression by testing a quick and easy treatment that can improve their mental health, which will also benefit their parenting and their kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 13, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $187,810 |
| NIH project number | 7K23MH128742-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139234 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include fathers experiencing depression in low-resource settings, particularly in Kenya.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not fathers or those who do not reside in the targeted low-resource settings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the high rates of untreated depression among fathers in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Kenya. It focuses on developing a brief treatment that can be easily implemented to improve the mental health of fathers, which in turn is expected to enhance parenting and child outcomes. The study will utilize randomized control trials and mixed methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention while considering social determinants of health. By training a candidate in these methodologies, the research seeks to create scalable solutions for mental health care in resource-limited settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health for fathers, resulting in better parenting and enhanced well-being for their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that treating parental depression can significantly improve child mental health, indicating a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giusto, Ali — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Giusto, Ali
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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.