Effects of pandemic-related stress on new parents and their infants

Impact of Perinatal Pandemic-Related Stress on the Early Caregiving Environment, Infant Functioning, DNA Methylation, and Telomere Length

NIH-funded research University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-10812233

This study is looking at how the stress from the COVID-19 pandemic has affected new parents and their babies, especially those who were pregnant during that time, to find ways to better support families in tough situations.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Farmington, United States)
Project IDNIH-10812233 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects new parents and their infants. It focuses on families who were pregnant during the pandemic, assessing their experiences through surveys and interviews. The study aims to understand the impact of this stress on caregiving environments, infant development, and biological markers like DNA methylation and telomere length. By gathering data from a diverse group of participants, the research seeks to identify potential interventions to support families during similar crises.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women and their partners who were in the final two trimesters of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not a fit: Patients who were not pregnant during the pandemic or whose infants are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support strategies for new parents and better health outcomes for infants born during stressful times.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown that understanding the effects of stress on parenting can lead to effective interventions, making this approach both relevant and promising.

Where this research is happening

Farmington, 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.