Exploring how mothers' emotional skills affect their children's suicide risk
Official title: Testing Emotion Regulation as an Intergenerational Mechanism of Suicide Risk in Mother-Child Dyads
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10997353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a mother's ability to manage her emotions can affect her child's risk of having suicidal thoughts, especially if the mother has struggled with suicidal behavior herself, and it aims to help mothers learn new skills to support their children's emotional health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 8, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $664,378 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132543-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-20 years whose mothers have a history of suicidal behavior.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a maternal history of suicidal behavior may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between mothers' emotional regulation and the risk of suicide in their children, particularly focusing on those whose mothers have a history of suicidal behavior. By examining how maternal responses to their children's emotions influence the children's emotional development, the study aims to identify critical pathways that may lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The approach includes a randomized controlled trial using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training to enhance mothers' emotional skills, which could positively impact their children's mental health outcomes. The goal is to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies that can be implemented immediately.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved emotional regulation skills in mothers, thereby reducing the risk of suicide in their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using emotion regulation interventions to improve mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stepp, Stephanie D — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Stepp, Stephanie D
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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.