How childhood experiences with parents affect adult relationships and health

Secure Base Script Knowledge: Antecedents and Sequelae

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-10798233

This study looks at how the way kids and teens are treated by their caregivers affects how they expect support from loved ones when life gets tough, and it aims to see how these expectations impact their mental and physical health and relationships as adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10798233 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the quality of childhood and adolescent experiences with caregivers influences young adults' expectations about support from significant others during tough times. It aims to understand how these expectations relate to mental and physical health, as well as interpersonal relationships in adulthood. By analyzing autobiographical narratives, the study seeks to uncover the origins of secure base script knowledge, which reflects an individual's ability to communicate needs and receive help effectively. The research will involve a large sample to provide robust evidence on how these experiences are transmitted from parents to their children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals aged 12 to 21 who have experienced varying qualities of caregiving during childhood and adolescence.

Not a fit: Patients who have not had significant caregiver relationships or those outside the age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental and physical health outcomes for adults by enhancing understanding of the impact of early caregiver relationships.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that early caregiver relationships significantly influence adult interpersonal relationships and health, supporting the relevance of this approach.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, 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 2026-06-10 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.