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Impacts of Cash Transfers on Child Neurodevelopment (Auxilio Brasil)

Description

This study examines the impact of Auxilio Brasil (AB), a cash transfer program to mothers of school-age children, on resource-deprived populations in Brazil and its protective effects on child neurodevelopment and mental health. The investigators will conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) among those already receiving AB in which 300 families will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a high ($40/month) or low ($2/month) supplemental transfer for 2 years. Three hundred children (index child participants; 7-10 years old) will be enrolled across both study arms. Additionally, up to 150 siblings ("sibling participants;" 7-10 years old) will be enrolled. Eligible families who decide to participate will sign a study-specific informed consent (mother) and assent (child) form. The UNIFESP team will conduct the respective assessments at baseline, approximately 8- and 16- months, 24-months and approximately 6-months post-RCT. Aim 1: Determine the impact of high vs low cash transfers on children's exposure to adversities (ACEs) and neurodevelopment. Aim 2: Determine the impact of cash transfers on children's inflammatory markers and HPA activity/cortisol. Exploratory Aim: The investigators will explore (i) whether sex/gender of the children moderates the pathways in the above mediation model; and (ii) whether cash transfer-related effects persist 6 months post-RCT.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This study examines the impact of Auxilio Brasil (AB), a cash transfer program to mothers of school-age children, on resource-deprived populations in Brazil and its protective effects on child neurodevelopment and mental health. The investigators will conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) among those already receiving AB in which 300 families will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a high ($40/month) or low ($2/month) supplemental transfer for 2 years. Three hundred children (index child participants; 7-10 years old) will be enrolled across both study arms. Additionally, up to 150 siblings ("sibling participants;" 7-10 years old) will be enrolled. Eligible families who decide to participate will sign a study-specific informed consent (mother) and assent (child) form. The UNIFESP team will conduct the respective assessments at baseline, approximately 8- and 16- months, 24-months and approximately 6-months post-RCT. Aim 1: Determine the impact of high vs low cash transfers on children's exposure to adversities (ACEs) and neurodevelopment. Aim 2: Determine the impact of cash transfers on children's inflammatory markers and HPA activity/cortisol. Exploratory Aim: The investigators will explore (i) whether sex/gender of the children moderates the pathways in the above mediation model; and (ii) whether cash transfer-related effects persist 6 months post-RCT.

Mental Health and Bolsa Familia: A Mechanistically Focused Clinical Trial of a Cash Transfer Intervention on Child Brain, Behavior, and Mental Health

Impacts of Cash Transfers on Child Neurodevelopment (Auxilio Brasil)

Condition
Inflammation
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

New York

New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States, 10032

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Age 23-45 years old
  • 2. Receiving AB cash transfers
  • 3. Has at least two or more children ages 7- 10 years old at time of recruitment (up to 4 children per family)
  • 4. Able to consent
  • 1. Mother and child do not reside in same household
  • 1. Age 7-10 years old
  • 2. Intellectual Disability
  • 1. Does not reside in same household as the mother
  • 2. Major Axis I disorder (e.g., Autism, Schizophrenia, Bipolar)
  • 3. Severe Disability
  • 4. MRI contradictions (index child only)

Ages Eligible for Study

23 Years to 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

New York State Psychiatric Institute,

Cristiane Duarte, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, New York State Psychiatric Institute

Andrea Jackowsi, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Federal University of São Paulo

Jonathan Posner, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Duke University

Tenneill Murray, MPH, STUDY_DIRECTOR, New York State Psychiatric Institute

Study Record Dates

2028-01-01