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 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.
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.
February 1, 2021
Child mental & behavioral health
Intervention effects
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was revised in 2009 to align with dietary guidelines. This study shows that children of mothers who received the revised food package during pregnancy had improved developmental outcomes in the first 2 years of life. These findings highlight the value of WIC in improving early developmental outcomes among vulnerable children and support the need to implement and expand policies that support the health of marginalized groups.
January 14, 2021
Biomarkers
Child mental & behavioral health
Childhood adversity
This study shows that the development of mental health problems in young children is influenced by both family adversity and physiological factors like cortisol levels and parasympathetic nervous system functioning. These findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple factors in understanding mental health and highlights the importance of family adversity prevention to make a positive impact on children's well-being.
December 1, 2020
Childhood adversity
This viewpoint article discusses the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on families' wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has created severe stressors and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly for ethnoracially and socioeconomically marginalized families. Families with a history of severe stress exposure may be particularly impacted by pandemic stressors. Researchers can use the scientific evidence of early childhood research to develop empirically supported interventions for adversity-exposed children and families during the pandemic.
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.
November 1, 2020
CANDLE Study
Caregiving behaviors
Child mental & behavioral health
Protective factors
This study looked at factors that may affect the cognitive development of children, particularly in communities with racial disparities. The researchers identified modifiable factors, such as parental education, maternal reading ability, and positive parent-child interactions, that were associated with better cognitive performance in children. These findings could be used to inform prevention efforts and policy changes to reduce racial disparities in childhood cognitive development.
October 17, 2020
Biomarkers
CANDLE Study
Childhood adversity
Stress during pregnancy
This study looked at the effects of childhood trauma on pregnant people's placental Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone (pCRH) levels, which can impact the health of both the mother and child. Researchers found that exposure to childhood abuse or violence predicted higher levels of pCRH later in pregnancy, but stressors during adulthood nor pregnancy did not affect pCRH. The study highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing childhood trauma in pregnant people to promote better health outcomes for them and their children.
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.