How early life stress affects depression in adolescents
Official title: Psychobiological Mechanisms Underlying the Association Between Early Life Stress and Depression Across Adolescence
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11077216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress in childhood affects the mental health of kids aged 9 to 13 as they grow up, with the hope of finding ways to prevent depression and other emotional challenges in young people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $618,807 |
| NIH project number | 5R37MH101495-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 9 to 13 who have experienced significant early life stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced early life stress or are outside the age range of 9 to 13 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of early life stress on the development of depression and other psychological issues in adolescents. By following a group of 220 children aged 9 to 13 over several years, the study examines how exposure to stress influences their emotional and behavioral health as they grow into young adults. Participants undergo various assessments, including psychological evaluations and biological measurements, to understand the long-term effects of early adversity on mental health. The goal is to identify patterns that could help in preventing depression and related conditions in youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for depression and other mental health issues in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of early life stress on mental health, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gotlib, Ian H — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Gotlib, Ian H
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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.