Guide to Navigating this Research Archive
Here you will find research articles published by IDHP researchers that are related to our primary scientific foci: the interconnected mental health of children and their caregivers, the intergenerational impact of stressful experiences on mental and physical health, and interventions and other buffers that support family wellness.
In the right sidebar, you can search this archive by research topic, as well as by research study (you can read about each study on the Current Projects page). Each archive entry has a simple summary, the full scientific abstract, and a link to the full article. Most of the articles in this research archive are available open access (i.e., you can access it without a subscription). If you are trying to access an article and aren't able to see the full version, please email us at [email protected], and we would be happy to assist.
October 9, 2023
Biomarkers
Caregiving behaviors
Child mental & behavioral health
MAMAS/SEED Study
Protective factors
SEED Study
Stress during pregnancy
This study found that average or higher levels of sensitive parenting behaviors buffered the effects of prenatal stress exposures on child cardiometabolic functioning and temperament, at 6 months of age. Findings also showed that sensitive parenting behaviors were related with lower cardiometabolic reactivity and greater recovery when infants were exposed to stress. Together, these results suggest that parental sensitivity (and interventions that promote it) may shape healthy child development and stress resilience.
November 28, 2022
Intervention effects
MAMAS/SEED Study
Maternal mental health
Stress during pregnancy
Depression presents a significant public health challenge, particularly for women both during and after pregnancy. This study investigated the long-term effects of a prenatal mindfulness intervention for Bay Area women from lower-income backgrounds. The research found that this intervention not only reduced depressive symptoms in the short term but also had lasting benefits, extending up to eight years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings emphasize the importance of investing in and supporting mental health interventions during pregnancy to support women and promote their sustained well-being.
March 10, 2022
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health
Intervention effects
MAMAS/SEED Study
This study looked at whether maternal participation in a wellness group during pregnancy affects the health of the child, as well as the mother. Findings showed that infants of women who participated in the wellness group had better self-regulation behavior and showed quicker physiological recovery from stress than those in a treatment-as-usual group. These results suggest that prenatal interventions that reduce mothers' stress may have two-generation benefits.
December 7, 2021
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
MAMAS/SEED Study
SEED Study
This study looked at how early life experiences can affect a child's mental and behavioral health. The researchers found that children who experienced adversity in the first 18 months of life were more likely to have heightened physiological response when faced with a challenge at age 3. Children with this heightened physiological response profile also had lower scores in executive functioning compared to those who had adaptive patterns across all systems.
March 12, 2021
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
MAMAS/SEED Study
SEED Study
This study explored how different physiological systems work together to predict mental health in young children. Researchers identified different profiles of autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning at 18 and 36 months of age. One profile which involved persistent heightened baseline ANS and HPA axis activity was associated with child internalizing (anxiety and depression) problems at age 3.
November 30, 2020
Intervention effects
MAMAS/SEED Study
Maternal mental health
This study looked at the effects of participating in a wellness group called Mindful Moms Training during pregnancy on healthcare utilization for infants. The study found that for mothers with moderate depressive symptoms, those who participated in the wellness group had significantly fewer healthcare visits for their infants compared to those who did not participate in the group (15 average visits vs. 9 average visits).
November 17, 2020
Biomarkers
Child physical health
MAMAS/SEED Study
SEED Study
This study investigated the relationship between early weight gain in infants and the development of their autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation. The results showed that greater than average weight-for-length gain during the first 6 months of life was associated with ANS dysregulation at 6 months. These findings suggest that early adiposity gain is a risk factor for ANS dysregulation, which can inform early intervention programs for obesity prevention and promoting self-regulation in infancy.
August 19, 2020
Child physical health
MAMAS/SEED Study
SEED Study
Stress during pregnancy
This study looked at how stress during pregnancy affects the health of infants in their first year of life. The researchers found that when mothers experienced more stress during pregnancy, their babies were more likely to get sick. This means that it is important to try and reduce stress during pregnancy in order to keep both the mother and the baby healthy.
May 14, 2020
Child physical health
MAMAS/SEED Study
SEED Study
Stress during pregnancy
This study looked at how stress during pregnancy can affect a baby's weight gain. Authors found that moms who experienced more stressful events during pregnancy were more likely to have babies who gained weight too quickly in the first six months of life. These findings suggest that supporting pregnant people around stress may help prevent rapid weight gain in babies.
October 1, 2019
Intervention effects
MAMAS/SEED Study
Maternal mental health
Stress during pregnancy
This study tested the effectiveness of Mindful Moms Training, a wellness group for pregnancy women, on perceived stress, eating behaviors, and gestational weight gain. The group intervention led to significant reductions in perceived stress and depressive symptoms, increased physical activity, and showed promise for preventing glucose intolerance. However, the study found that the majority of women gained excessive weight during pregnancy, regardless of the intervention.