How early childhood stress affects mental health later in life
Biological Substrates of Maladaptive Stress Response in Early Childhood
This study is looking at how going through a parental divorce can affect young children's stress responses and mental health, and it will involve kids aged 4-6 who are experiencing this change, comparing them to kids from stable families to find ways to better support them during this tough time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10886500 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how stressful experiences in early childhood, particularly parental divorce, can influence children's biological stress responses and increase their risk for mental health disorders. The study will recruit children aged 4-6 years who are experiencing parental divorce and compare them to children from stable family environments. By examining these children over time, the research aims to understand the biological pathways that contribute to psychological issues stemming from early stress. The findings could help identify ways to support children during these critical developmental years.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are children aged 4-6 years who are within three months of experiencing parental divorce.
Not a fit: Children who are not experiencing significant stressors or those outside the age range of 4-6 years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for children experiencing early life stress, potentially reducing their risk of developing mental health disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that early life stress can have lasting effects on mental health, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perlman, Susan B — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Perlman, Susan B
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.