Research

IDHP Research Summaries

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 28, 2020
Biomarkers

Evidence for discrete profiles of children's physiological activity across three neurobiological system and their transitions over time

This study examined how the body's stress-responsive systems work together during early childhood. Researchers used a special analysis to identify three distinct patterns of activity across three systems: the parasympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system, and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. These patterns were stable over time and were associated with children's socioemotional outcomes. This information can help us understand how stress affects young children and develop strategies to support their well-being.
May 14, 2020
Child physical health
MAMAS/SEED Study
SEED Study
Stress during pregnancy

Prenatal maternal objective and subjective stress exposures and rapid infant weight gain

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.
May 1, 2020
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health

Associations between classroom climate and children's externalizing symptoms: The moderating effect of kindergarten children's parasympathetic reactivity

This study looked at how kindergarten classrooms affect children's mental health, and whether children's physiological reactivity to stress affects this relationship. Researchers found that classrooms with more child-centered methods helped children with higher physiological reactivity to stress to have fewer externalizing symptoms, while more teacher-dominated methods were associated with increased symptoms. For children with lower physiological reactivity, exposure to more teacher-dominated classroom management practices was associated with lower externalizing symptoms. Understanding children's individual physiological differences can help teachers create environments that promote good mental health.