Examining how exposure to threats affects emotional responses and self-harm in children
Official title: Longitudinal examination of emotional reactivity and reactive aggression linking threat exposure with childhood self-injurious thoughts and behaviors
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-10914293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how facing scary or upsetting situations might lead to self-harm thoughts and actions in young children, and it aims to find early signs that could help us understand and support their mental health better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $845,310 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131565-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-11 who have experienced threats or negative events.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or who have not experienced any form of threat may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between exposure to threats and the development of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in children. It aims to understand how emotional reactivity and reactive aggression may increase the risk of STBs following negative experiences. By focusing on young children, the study seeks to identify early warning signs and risk factors that could lead to self-harm. The research will involve longitudinal assessments to track emotional responses and behaviors over time, providing valuable insights into the mental health of youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention strategies for children at risk of self-harm.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of threat exposure on adolescent mental health, but this specific focus on younger children is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oppenheimer, Caroline — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Oppenheimer, Caroline
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.