Effects of COVID-19 stress on mothers and their infants

Investigating neurobehavioral consequences of COVID-19 related stressors on maternal mental health and infant development

NIH-funded research New York University · NIH-10816497

This study is looking at how the stress from the COVID-19 pandemic affects the mental health of moms and the growth of their babies, especially for those who have lost support during this time, and it aims to find ways to help protect their children's development.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10816497 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects the mental health of mothers and the development of their infants. It focuses on pregnant women and new mothers who have experienced significant loss of support during this time. By enrolling 300 women and their children from a larger cohort, the study will track the children's development at various stages, examining the timing of maternal stress and its biological impacts. The goal is to understand how these stressors influence brain development and identify protective factors that may help mitigate negative outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women or new mothers who have experienced stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or new mothers, or those who have not experienced COVID-19 related stressors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support strategies for mothers and interventions that promote healthier infant development.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown that maternal stress can significantly impact child development, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.