How childhood, teen years, and COVID experiences shape young adult wellbeing across countries
Childhood, Adolescence, and Covid-Related Risk and Protective Factors in the Development of Adjustment in Early Adulthood Across Cultures
This project looks at how experiences in childhood, adolescence, and during COVID relate to mental health, risks, and opportunities for people in their early twenties across nine countries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11378921 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a group that researchers have followed since age 8 in nine countries, and they continue to check in as you move through early adulthood. The team conducts annual interviews with young adults and their parents about family relationships, attitudes, mental health, substance use, decision-making, and cultural values. They compare information collected over many years to see which childhood and adolescent experiences, and which COVID-related changes, link to better or worse adjustment in the early twenties. The study uses standardized questionnaires and repeated interviews to spot patterns that are similar or different across cultures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are young adults about 22–26 years old who grew up in the participating countries and were part of the original Parenting Across Cultures cohort or similar individuals invited by the research team.
Not a fit: People who are not part of the international cohort or who are much younger or older than the target age range are unlikely to participate or directly benefit from this specific study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help families, clinicians, and policymakers design better supports to reduce mental health, substance use, and injury risks for young adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous long-term studies have linked childhood and adolescent experiences to adult outcomes, but this multinational longitudinal design is relatively unique and provides broader cross-cultural insight.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lansford, Jennifer E — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lansford, Jennifer E
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 below.