Helping parents of children with feeding disorders improve their mental health
Official title: Brief Mental Health Treatment For Parents of Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder
Funded at Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) · NIH-11082493 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping parents who are dealing with the stress and worries that come from having a child with feeding difficulties, by offering them quick support to improve their mental health, which can make mealtimes better for both them and their kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $164,242 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH133874-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082493 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parents of children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing feeding disorders and have mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have children with feeding disorders or whose parents do not experience mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the mental health challenges faced by parents of children with pediatric feeding disorders (PFD), which can significantly hinder effective treatment. The project aims to develop and test brief mental health interventions tailored for these parents, recognizing that their mental well-being directly impacts their children's feeding practices and treatment adherence. By providing support for issues such as anxiety and depression, the research seeks to foster positive mealtime interactions between parents and children, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for PFD. The approach includes active follow-up and assessment of both parent and child behaviors during mealtimes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health for parents, resulting in better feeding practices and treatment outcomes for their children with feeding disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While addressing parent mental health in the context of pediatric feeding disorders is a novel approach, similar interventions in other pediatric conditions have shown promise in improving treatment outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bakula, Dana M — Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
- Study coordinator: Bakula, Dana M
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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.