Understanding how forced displacement affects the mental health of older adults
Official title: The Impact of Forced Displacement on Aging Adult Mental Health: Implications for Developing Interventions
Funded at Lehigh University · NIH-11187108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the mental health struggles of older Bhutanese refugees living in the US and aims to understand how support from friends and community can help them feel better, while also creating helpful programs just for them over the next three years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lehigh University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethlehem, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $456,368 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG089038-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adult Bhutanese refugees aged 50 and older who have experienced forced displacement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not refugees or those younger than 50 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mental health challenges faced by older adult refugees, particularly those from Bhutan, who have resettled in the US. It employs a community-based participatory research approach to explore how social support can protect mental health and to develop interventions tailored to this vulnerable population. The study will combine qualitative methods to gather insights and a longitudinal design to quantitatively assess mental health over three years, focusing on the impact of past traumas and current support systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective mental health interventions specifically designed for older refugees, improving their overall well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that community-based approaches can effectively address mental health issues in refugee populations, suggesting potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frounfelker, Rochelle Lynn — Lehigh University
- Study coordinator: Frounfelker, Rochelle Lynn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Impact of Displacement on Aging Immigrant Mental Health and Interventions
A project with Lehigh University will explore how past displacement affects the mental health of older Bhutanese American immigrants and develop ideas for supportive interventions.
-
Training new researchers in mental health and aging
This study is all about helping new teachers in mental health and aging learn how to become independent researchers, so they can better understand and improve mental health for older adults.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
-
Long-term HIV prevention and mental health support for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda
A long-term program in rural Uganda tests if combining economic support and family strengthening helps teenage girls stay HIV-free and improve mental health as they grow into young adults.
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.