Helping parents make better long-term choices to improve child mental health.
Official title: Reducing Maternal Delay Discounting as a Target Mechanism to Decrease Harsh Parenting and Improve Child Mental Health Outcomes in a Traditionally Underserved Community
Funded at Henry Ford Health System · NIH-10671617 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how parents in underserved communities make choices about their parenting, especially when they might prefer quick fixes instead of long-term benefits, and it aims to help them find better ways to nurture their kids to improve their mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $232,348 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH123602-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10671617 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parents or guardians of children aged 0-11 years living in economically disadvantaged communities.
✕Less likely to help
Parents who do not reside in underserved communities or whose children are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how parents in underserved communities make decisions that affect their parenting styles, particularly the tendency to choose immediate rewards over long-term benefits. By exploring the concept of delay discounting, which is the preference for immediate gratification, the study aims to identify ways to reduce harsh parenting practices that can lead to mental health issues in children. The approach involves developing interventions that help parents recognize the value of delayed rewards, such as nurturing relationships with their children, rather than resorting to quick disciplinary actions. The ultimate goal is to improve mental health outcomes for children aged 0-11 years by addressing the root causes of harsh parenting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes for children by promoting healthier parenting practices.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing decision-making processes in parenting can lead to significant improvements in child behavior and mental health, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health System
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maye, Melissa — Henry Ford Health System
- Study coordinator: Maye, Melissa
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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.