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Impacts of Cash Transfers on Child Neurodevelopment (Auxilio Brasil)

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

Who can join

Ages 23 to 45 · All sexes

Mother:

Inclusion 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

Exclusion Criteria:

1\. Mother and child do not reside in same household

Child:

Inclusion Criterion

1. Age 7-10 years old
2. Intellectual Disability

Exclusion Criterion

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)

About the study

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.

What is being tested

• Supplemental cash transfer (other)

Sponsor: New York State Psychiatric Institute · Participants: 450 · Started: May 28, 2025

Contact the study team

• Cristiane Duarte, PhD · Phone: 646-774-5801

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05477901

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.