Exploring how positive emotions affect childhood mental health.

Understanding the role of dysregulation in positive affect in developmental psychopathology.

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-10915509

This study is looking at how strong positive emotions in young kids, especially those between 0-11 years old, can affect their behavior and overall well-being, with the goal of finding ways to help children who might be at risk for mental health issues.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorWASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10915509 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of positive emotional dysregulation in young children, particularly how it relates to behavioral disorders and overall functioning. By examining the connections between high positive affect and clinical symptoms like aggression, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms involved. The approach includes analyzing emotional responses in children aged 0-11 years to better understand how these emotions can impact their development and mental health outcomes. The findings could lead to improved early interventions for children at risk of developing psychopathology.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who exhibit signs of emotional dysregulation or behavioral issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or do not exhibit any emotional or behavioral concerns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and treatment strategies for children experiencing emotional dysregulation, ultimately improving their mental health and social functioning.

How similar studies have performed: While research on negative affect dysregulation has shown success, the exploration of positive affect dysregulation in children is relatively novel and less studied.

Where this research is happening

SAINT LOUIS, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.