A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multi-component Family Intervention to Lower Depression and Address Intimate Partner Violence (MILAP) Among Young Women in Nepal

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effectiveness of a family-based intervention called MILAP to reduce depression, intimate partner violence (IPV), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among young married women in Nepal. IPV is a major health issue in low- and middle-income countries, often linked to mental health problems. This study focuses on how ongoing IPV and family dynamics, particularly involving mothers-in-law, impact young women's mental health and aims to evaluate MILAP's ability to improve outcomes and understand how it works. The MILAP intervention consists of nine sessions over nine weeks, involving the young woman, her husband, and mother-in-law. It starts with sessions for mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law to build support and empowerment, followed by sessions addressing depression with behavioral activation. Then, couples participate in behavioral therapy focusing on communication and trust. The final session includes the whole family to review lessons and prepare for challenges. The control group receives enhanced usual care with counseling and support services. Participants will be assessed at the start, after one month, and every three months up to one year using questionnaires covering depression, IPV, PTSD, and other mental health and social measures. Data collection includes interviews and surveys conducted in private settings. Researchers will analyze changes in depression, IPV, and PTSD, explore how the intervention works through mixed methods, and evaluate its cost-effectiveness. The study involves 300 families, each with a wife, husband, and mother-in-law, with half receiving MILAP and half receiving usual care.

Multi-component Family Intervention to Lower Depression and Address Intimate Partner Violence in Nepal