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. 

 

 

February 16, 2024
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health
ECHO PATHWAYS Study

Sex-specific associations between placental corticotropin releasing hormone and problem behaviors in childhood

Placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH) is a hormone that plays a critical role in various aspects of pregnancy and fetal development. In this study, exposure to increased levels of pCRH during mid-late gestation seemed to confer little risk for children’s future neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, some of the analyses suggested that links between pCRH exposure and child mental health may depend upon fetal sex - increasing levels of pCRH was associated with more problem behaviors for boys but fewer problems for girls. These results require replication and follow-up at later stages of child development. 
February 6, 2024
Biomarkers
Caregiving behaviors
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
Intervention effects
Protective factors

Do dyadic interventions impact biomarkers of child health? A state-of-the-science narrative review

This paper reviews the impacts of psychological dyadic (parent-child) interventions on biomarkers of child health, across multiple biological systems. Overall, published findings to date suggest that dyadic interventions have positive impacts on child biomarkers, especially for families exposed to adversity. While more research is needed, these results suggest that investment in programs and policies that nurture caregiving bonds are meaningful for healthy child development.