Prevention of Maternal Depression Across 25 Years in Diverse Contexts with a Parenting Support Program
Official title: Prevention of Maternal Depression across 25 years in the Context of Sociocultural Risk and a Randomized Parenting Intervention
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11421497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study in low-income families will explore how mothers’ depression changes over 25 years and whether a family-focused parenting program can help reduce depressive symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,938,139 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1MH138582-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Mothers in low-income families with young children who are part of the existing Early Steps Multisite study and are willing to participate long-term.
✕Less likely to help
Families not enrolled in the longitudinal cohort or those who do not engage with the Family Check-Up intervention may not experience benefits.
What this research studies
This project follows mothers in low-income families for 25 years to map how depression evolves as their children grow from early childhood to adolescence. Researchers will look at stressors like financial strain, neighborhood conditions, and social supports, and how these factors shape depressive trajectories. The study also tests whether the Family Check-Up program can lessen the severity of depressive symptoms over time by supporting parenting and family dynamics. Using data from the Early Steps Multisite study, the team will analyze trajectories in relation to child development stages and contextual risk and protective factors. If successful, findings could inform long-term prevention strategies for maternal depression in at-risk populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more effective, family-centered approaches to reducing maternal depression over decades.
How similar studies have gone: Prior short-term studies show that support programs can buffer depressive symptoms, but long-term trajectories in diverse populations are less well understood.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elam, Kit — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Elam, Kit
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How Black fathers' parenting affects depression in Black adolescents
This study looks at how the special ways Black fathers raise their kids might help protect their teenagers from feeling depressed, especially when they face racism, and it aims to understand how these parenting styles can positively impact their mental health over time.
-
Understanding how brain circuits affect maternal sensitivity in postpartum depression
This study looks at how certain brain areas affect how mothers care for their kids, especially when they're dealing with postpartum depression, to better understand what happens in the brain that changes their behavior.
-
Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Suubi-Mhealth: a mobile app to help Ugandan youth with HIV manage depression and ART adherence
A mobile app designed for 14–17 year olds in Uganda aims to support mental health and keep HIV treatment on track.
-
Group-based postpartum depression prevention: in-person vs. virtual delivery
A large study is testing whether the ROSE group program delivered virtually to pregnant people is just as helpful as the in-person version in preventing postpartum depression.
-
DESCANSO: A friendly CBT plan to ease depression, sleep problems, and fatigue in Latino cancer patients
A Spanish-speaking CBT program called DESCANSO is being tested to help Latino cancer patients feel less tired, sleep better, and happier.
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.