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.
December 27, 2023
Caregiving behaviors
Child mental & behavioral health
Interconnected maternal-child health
Intervention effects
Maternal mental health
This paper discusses the value of a two generation-intervention approach, specifically the combination an evidence-based parenting intervention with depression treatment to improve both maternal and child mental health outcomes. The authors also describe the development of a new study testing the impact of such an intergenerational, holistic program.
September 13, 2023
Intervention effects
Maternal mental health
This study examined racial/ethnic disparities in preterm birth and low birth weight before and after implementation of a trauma-informed model of prenatal care for adolescents. Black adolescents in the care-as-usual group were more than twice as likely to deliver preterm or low birth weight infants compared with adolescents of other races/ethnicities. In the trauma-informed group, however, there were no differences in birth outcomes across racial/ethnic groups, indicating an elimination of disparities in both preterm birth and low birth weight. These findings provide evidence that a health system-level intervention, herein trauma-informed obstetric care for adolescents, can play a meaningful role in the reduction of racial disparities.
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.
June 16, 2022
ECHO-wide Study
Maternal mental health
The study examined how depression symptoms changed in mothers of premature and full-term infants from birth to age 5. Researchers found that 1 in 5 mothers of premature infants had depression symptoms, which was twice the rate of mothers of full-term infants. Depression symptoms increased and became more severe as children got older for mothers of premature infants. These findings suggest that many mothers may experience depression symptoms beyond the initial postpartum period, and mothers of premature infants may need additional support.
May 7, 2022
CANDLE Study
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
Maternal mental health
This study looked at how women's exposure to childhood trauma impacts their own mental health and their child's adaptive behaviors (ability to perform developmentally appropriate activities completely and independently). The study found that mothers with higher levels of mental health problems during and after pregnancy were more likely to have children with lower levels of adaptive functioning at 12 and 24 months old, and experiencing childhood trauma increased mothers' risk for mental health problems.
April 13, 2022
CANDLE Study
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
Maternal mental health
This study examined how childhood trauma experienced by mothers can affect their own mental health and the mental health of their children. The researchers found that mothers who experienced childhood trauma had higher levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and after childbirth, and this was associated with their children's internalizing problems between 36 and 48-60 months of age. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the impact of maternal childhood trauma and addressing its effects to protect both caregivers and their children.
July 20, 2021
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
CTRP-Health Study
Intervention effects
Maternal mental health
This study looked at how inflammation in the body might affect how well people respond to a behavioral treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers measured the levels of certain proteins in the blood of mothers and their young children before treatment and found that those with higher levels of inflammation were less likely to improve with the treatment. This suggests that inflammation could be an important factor to consider when treating depression and PTSD.
May 18, 2021
CANDLE Study
Caregiving behaviors
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
Maternal mental health
This study looks at how a mother's childhood experiences can affect her child's behavior. The researchers found that mothers who had negative childhood experiences were more likely to have children with internalizing behaviors. The study also looked at how maternal anxiety and parenting behaviors might mediate this relationship. The findings suggest that interventions that support specific parenting behaviors and address maternal anxiety may help reduce internalizing behaviors in children of mothers with adverse childhood experiences.
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).
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.