DV-MH
A Pilot Study for a Family Intervention to Address Mental Health and Domestic Violence Among Married Women in Nepal.
Sponsor study identifier
Secondary identifiers
OTHER_GRANT · Sexual Violence Research Initiative
interventional
258
1 country
1
Study Start
February 24, 2022
Actual (reported)Primary Completion
February 20, 2024
Actual (reported)Study Completion
February 20, 2024
Actual (reported)Domestic Violence (DV) is a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including Nepal, where women often live in extended, multigenerational households, and violence can be perpetrated by the husband and/or mother-in-law (MIL). DV is a well-established social driver of mental illness and doubles the rate of depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). Interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve depression among women after they exit abusive relationships with DV. However, despite ongoing violence, many young women in LMICs including Nepal are less likely to divorce or separate from their husband. But, ongoing DV severely limits mental health recovery and increases the risks of suicide. This created a need for intervention which improves mental health and reduce ongoing DV, while involving the woman along with her husband and MIL. The study team thus developed a multi-component family intervention and conducted a study to to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention to reduce domestic violence and consequent depression among married women in Nepal.
Registry-reported information. Elapsed time and enrollment totals alone do not measure study progress or recruitment pace.
February 20, 2024
Actual (reported)Click on a node to explore related trials.
Some registry-reported names shown below are not yet linked in this graph.
Dates and qualifiers reported by the registry. Estimated dates do not confirm that a milestone has occurred.
February 24, 2022
Actual (reported)February 20, 2024
Actual (reported)February 20, 2024
Actual (reported)September 28, 2026
Actual (reported)October 13, 2026
Actual (reported)Change in depression score among women
Depression was assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which is validated in Nepal. The study team administered PHQ-9 to women participants experiencing IPV, and classified depression levels into two categories: (i) \>9 indicating moderate to severe depression, and (ii) ≤9 indicating minimal to mild symptoms. To evaluate change, the study team compared the proportion of women with moderate to severe depression at baseline versus six-month follow-up.
First in baseline, then followed by one month, three month and six months from baseline.
Change in incidence of violence among women
First in baseline, then followed by one month, three month and six months from baseline.
This single-arm study included one arm in which all enrolled participants received the multi-component family intervention. The intervention engaged three family members: the female participant, her husband, and her mother-in-law (MIL). During the first four weeks, the female and MIL participants participated in MIL-DIL sessions to bring them together to build allyship. Over the following four weeks, the husband-wife dyad participated in Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) sessions. Finally, the intervention concluded with a joint triad summary session with all three participants.
The intervention started with MIL-DIL sessions and included first two sessions (four total hours) grounded in participatory learning and action principles using stories, role-plays, and discussions to enhance knowledge, skills, and social support. These sessions prepared participants for subsequent two one-hour sessions on brief behavioral activation, an evidence-based technique for addressing and preventing depression. After completion of the MIL-DIL sessions, the husband-wife dyad received four weekly sessions of behavioral couples therapy (BCT) (four total hours). BCT sessions concentrated on improving spousal relationships, and fostering increased trust and caring behaviors between couples. The sessions also included culturally tailored deep meditation and relaxation techniques. The intervention concluded with a final triad session (an hour) which involved the woman, her husband and MIL, and gave them opportunity to reflect on the intervention and review overall lessons learnt.
Registry-reported names are shown in full. Names without a link have not yet been matched to a Syfrah profile.
Possible
Kathmandu, Bagmati, 44600, Nepal
Bibhav Acharya
University of California, San Francisco
Sabitri Sapkota
Possible
258 participants (actual enrollment reported by the registry).
First Submitted
September 28, 2026
First Posted
October 13, 2026
Study Start
February 24, 2022
Actual (reported)Stress Management Training for Nursing Professionals in a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Primary Completion
February 20, 2024
Actual (reported)Study Completion
February 20, 2024
Actual (reported)Last Updated
October 13, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-10
The study team will share de-identified quantitative data collected using our quantitative tools, relevant to our study . For qualitative data, the study team will share the structured notes.
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov.
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