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.
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 25, 2022
CANDLE Study
Caregiving behaviors
Child mental & behavioral health
Protective factors
Stress during pregnancy
This study looked at the effects of stress and violence experienced by pregnant women on their children's mental health. The researchers found that women's exposure to stress and violence during pregnancy was linked to problems with child mental health and executive functioning. Importantly, the study also found that high-quality parenting behaviors (higher sensitivity, supportiveness, scaffolding) could protect against these negative effects. The results suggest that supporting women's mental health during pregnancy and supporting their capacity for sensitive parenting could improve the wellbeing of both mothers and their children.
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.
April 7, 2022
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health
This study looked at how different biological systems in children, such as the nervous and hormonal systems, work together to respond to stress during their transition to kindergarten. The researchers used a statistical analysis called latent profile analysis to identify three distinct patterns of activity across these systems. They found that these patterns were stable over time and were associated with children's socioemotional outcomes at the end of the school year.
April 1, 2022
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
Protective factors
This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected families and children's well-being. The researchers found that when families experienced more pandemic-related difficulties, both caregivers and children experienced more stress, which was linked to lower life satisfaction for children. The study also found that social connections and engagement with family can protect children's well-being, especially for younger children, while anxiety and depression were risk factors for adolescents.
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.
March 8, 2022
Child mental & behavioral health
Stress during pregnancy
TIDES Study
This study looked at how maternal stress during pregnancy can affect children's mental health. The researchers found that maternal experiences of objectively stressful events as well as perceived stress were linked to children's mental health, with more stress predicting more mental health problems and worse adaptability. These findings highlight the importance of understanding different types of stress and suggests that family-focused interventions before and after birth could help prevent mental health problems in children.
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.
October 20, 2021
CANDLE Study
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
Protective factors
Stress during pregnancy
This study looked at how a mother's childhood trauma and stress during pregnancy affects her child's behavior at age 1. The study found that multiple types of maternal stress were associated with socioemotional-behavioral problems in children at age one. Importantly, findings also showed that maternal knowledge about child development can help protect against the negative effects of stress. This suggests that screening and early intervention for parents could help promote positive behavioral health in children.
August 12, 2021
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
CTRP-Health Study
Intervention effects
This study looked at how cortisol levels, measured through hair samples, are related to behavior problems in young children from low-income families. The researchers studied two groups of children: those who had experienced trauma and participated in therapy, and a community group of children from families experiencing high stress. They found that increases in cortisol over time were associated with greater improvements in child behavior problems, and that changes in hair cortisol levels over time may be more informative than looking at hair cortisol levels at one point in time.