Understanding the mental health of Latino adolescents who migrate alone
Official title: Mental Health of Latino Adolescent Who Migrate without a Parent: Understanding Risk and Identifying Resilience and Coping Strategies
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10839331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at the mental health struggles of Latino teens who move to a new country without their parents, especially how not having enough food and facing violence affects their well-being, and it hopes to find ways to help them cope better during this tough time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 9, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $687,188 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD017273-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10839331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latino adolescents aged 12-20 who have migrated without parental accompaniment and are experiencing mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latino or who have not migrated without parents may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mental health challenges faced by Latino adolescents who migrate without their parents, particularly focusing on the effects of food deprivation and exposure to violence. It aims to understand how these experiences impact their mental and physical health during critical developmental stages. By examining the interplay of these adverse conditions with cognitive and social factors, the study seeks to identify resilience and coping strategies that can be targeted for intervention. The findings could lead to the development of tailored support programs for these vulnerable youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights that lead to effective interventions to improve the mental health and resilience of unaccompanied Latino adolescent migrants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies on refugee adolescents have shown significant mental health risks associated with similar adverse experiences, indicating that this research builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orjuela, Manuela a — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Orjuela, Manuela a
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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.