Exploring how motherhood experiences affect women's health in midlife

Motherhood Biographies and Midlife Women's Health

NIH-funded research University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11013361

This study looks at how different experiences of being a mom, like when you had your first child and how many kids you have, affect the health of women aged 40-50, and it also explores how your relationship with your kids and factors like education and race play a role in this.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11013361 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the diverse experiences of motherhood and their impact on the health of women in midlife, particularly focusing on factors such as age at first birth, number of children, and relationship status. By analyzing data from a nationally representative cohort, the study aims to uncover how these motherhood biographies influence health outcomes and disparities among women aged 40-50. The research also examines the role of mother-child relationships in shaping these health effects, considering variations by education and race-ethnicity.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are midlife women aged 40-50 who have experienced motherhood in various contexts.

Not a fit: Women who are not mothers or those outside the midlife age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health interventions and support for midlife women based on their unique motherhood experiences.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that understanding personal life histories can significantly impact health outcomes, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Birmingham, 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.