Adolescent girls in developing countries face high rates of adversity and are at an elevated risk of depression and other forms of psychological distress. Untreated depression can have negative consequences on life outcomes such as early pregnancies, social exclusion and school dropout. These can result in a cycle of poverty for young women and their families. Despite this being a very pressing problem there is little evidence on what types of interventions can help break the vicious cycle of poor mental health and poverty. This research program aims to evaluate, through the use of a cluster-Randomized Control Trial (cluster- RCT), the effect of group-based interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) and unconditional cash transfers on adolescent girls' mental health and social functioning. Working with Strong Minds Uganda in collaboration with BRAC Uganda's Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents (ELA) clubs, the evidence generated from this research will create a better understanding of whether adolescent mental health improves through this cost-effective approach, and whether improved mental health impacts other outcomes of interest.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,914
14 weeks of group-based interpersonal therapy (IPT-G)
Lump sum cash transfer
BRAC Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
Minimal Depression 1a
Score \<=10 Primary Health Questionnaire 8 (0-24, higher is worse)
Time frame: 6 months
Minimal Depression 1b
Score \<=10 Primary Health Questionnaire 8 (0-24, higher is worse)
Time frame: 12 months
Minimal Depression 1c
Score \<=10 Primary Health Questionnaire 8 (0-24, higher is worse)
Time frame: 24 months
Psychological Distress 2a
Score \>=3 on the General Health Questionnaire 12 (0-12, higher is worse)
Time frame: 6 months
Psychological Distress 2b
Score \>=3 on the General Health Questionnaire 12 (0-12, higher is worse)
Time frame: 12 months
Psychological Distress 2c
Score \>=3 on the General Health Questionnaire 12 (0-12, higher is worse)
Time frame: 24 months
Self Esteem a
score on Rosenberg self esteem (0-30, higher is better)
Time frame: 6 months
Self Esteem b
score on Rosenberg self esteem (0-30, higher is better)
Time frame: 12 months
Self Esteem c
score on Rosenberg self esteem (0-30, higher is better)
Time frame: 24 months
Resilience a
score on Child \& Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (0-34, higher is better)
Time frame: 6 months
Resilience b
score on Child \& Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (0-34, higher is better)
Time frame: 12 months
Resilience c
score on Child \& Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (0-34, higher is better)
Time frame: 24 months
Indicator for Self-Reported School Enrollment a
Indicator for enrolled in school (=1 if Adolescent Self-Reports Enrolled in school at time of survey)
Time frame: 12 months
Indicator for Self-Reported School Enrollment b
Indicator for enrolled in school (=1 if Adolescent Self-Reports Enrolled in school at time of survey)
Time frame: 24 months
incidence of pregnancy a
incidence of pregnancy from baseline
Time frame: 12 months
incidence of pregnancy b
incidence of pregnancy from baseline
Time frame: 24 months
Child Marriage a
incidence of marriage from baseline
Time frame: 12 months
Child Marriage b
incidence of marriage from baseline
Time frame: 24 months
Competencies a
Score on competency test. This is a score that takes on a value of 0-3 across a set of three questions on ability to answer skills based math questions. Higher is better
Time frame: 12 months
Competencies b
Score on competency test. This is a score that takes on a value of 0-3 across a set of three questions on ability to answer skills based math questions. Higher is better
Time frame: 24 months
Indicator for self -reported condom use at last sex a
condom use during last sexual encounter (=1 if Adolescent self reports using a condom at last sex)
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Time frame: 12 months
indicator for self-reported condom use at last sex b
condom use during last sexual encounter (=1 if Adolescent self reports using a condom at last sex)
Time frame: 24 months