Improving mental health in fathers to benefit their children in Kenya

A brief, task-shifted treatment to improve father depression and child outcomes in Kenya: A pilot effectiveness-implementation trial

NIH-funded research Florida International University · NIH-11139234

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFlorida International University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Miami, United States)
Project IDNIH-11139234 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include fathers experiencing depression in low-resource settings, particularly in Kenya.

Not a fit: Patients who are not fathers or those who do not reside in the targeted low-resource settings may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Miami, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.