Preventing partner violence among newly married couples in Indian slums
Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence
A six-week, peer-led program for newly married couples in slum communities in India to build communication, conflict skills, and reproductive health knowledge to help reduce intimate partner violence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11396098 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your partner would join a small group of about five couples and meet once a week for six sessions led by trained peer educators. Sessions use role-plays, discussions, and activities to improve communication, conflict management, sexual and reproductive health knowledge, self-esteem, and shared relationship time. A prior pilot with 40 newly married couples showed high attendance and early signs of reduced violence and better mental health for women, and now a larger trial will measure how well the program works and how it produces change. The research team will also study where the program might need to be adapted and what helps it be successfully used in real communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are newly married couples (especially within their first year of marriage) living in slum or low-income community settings in India.
Not a fit: People who are not in a current partnership, who are in long-standing marriages outside the target community, or those needing immediate safety or clinical services for severe ongoing violence may not benefit from this preventive program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lower rates of intimate partner violence and improve mental, sexual, and reproductive health for couples living in slum communities.
How similar studies have performed: A small pilot showed high retention and preliminary reductions in IPV and improved mental health, but larger randomized trials are needed to confirm effectiveness and scalability.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kalokhe, Ameeta Shivdas — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Kalokhe, Ameeta Shivdas
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.