Preventing partner violence in newly-married couples
Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence
A six-week group program helps newly-married couples in Indian slums build communication, conflict management, and sexual health skills to reduce partner violence and improve wellbeing.
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-11195605 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll meet with your spouse and a small group of other couples for six weekly sessions led by trained local peer educators using interactive activities and discussions. The program focuses on improving relationship quality time, self-esteem, resilience, communication and conflict skills, sexual communication, and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, while challenging norms that condone violence. The research team will follow participating couples over time with confidential surveys and interviews to see whether the program lowers partner violence and improves mental and reproductive health. Researchers will also study how the program works, for whom it works best, and whether it needs any changes for different community contexts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Newly-married couples living in slum communities in India who are willing to attend six weekly group sessions together are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not newly married, do not live in the target communities, are unwilling to attend couple-based sessions, or who are experiencing severe ongoing violence may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower the risk of intimate partner violence and improve mental and reproductive health for participating couples.
How similar studies have performed: A small pilot with 40 newly-married couples showed high attendance, no reported adverse events, and early signs of reduced partner violence and better mental health, but larger trials are needed to confirm the findings.
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.