Understanding how social factors affect mental health in young women living in slums.
Official title: TOPOWA Study: Social Drivers of Mental Illness among AGYW in Slums.
Funded at Kennesaw State University · NIH-11049202 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how living in tough conditions affects the mental health of young women aged 18-24 in slums in Kampala, Uganda, and it aims to find out if training to improve their economic situation can help them feel better and cope with stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kennesaw State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kennesaw, United States) |
| Project start | January 18, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $545,646 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH128930-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049202 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Adolescent Girls and Young Women aged 18-24 living in urban slum areas of Kampala, Uganda.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 18-24 or those not living in urban slum conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the social drivers that contribute to mental illness among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) living in slums in Kampala, Uganda. It employs a mixed-methods approach to explore how socioeconomic strengthening training can help mitigate the negative effects of poverty and improve mental health outcomes. By focusing on young women aged 18-24, the study aims to identify resilience mechanisms against stressors related to their environment and social conditions. Participants will be recruited for a 27-month cohort study to gather comprehensive data on their experiences and mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health interventions tailored for young women in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown positive impacts of socioeconomic strengthening on mental health, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swahn, Monica H — Kennesaw State University
- Study coordinator: Swahn, Monica H
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.