How early parent-child relationships affect children's mental health
Official title: Neurocognitive Mechanisms Linking Early Parent-Child Relationship Quality to Transdiagnostic Psychopathology at School Age
Funded at University of Nebraska Lincoln · NIH-10986966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the quality of relationships between parents and their young children can affect the kids' mental health as they grow up, especially focusing on how these relationships influence their ability to think and make decisions when they reach preschool age, with the goal of finding ways to help prevent mental health issues early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HD111293-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986966 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are families with children aged 0-5 years, particularly those interested in understanding and improving their parenting practices.
✕Less likely to help
Families with children older than 5 years or those not experiencing any concerns regarding their child’s mental health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of the quality of parent-child relationships during infancy and toddlerhood on the development of mental health issues in children. It focuses on understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms involved, particularly how these relationships influence executive control in preschool-aged children. The study aims to identify modifiable risk factors that can help prevent or reduce psychopathology early in life, with a special emphasis on the roles of both mothers and fathers. By examining these dynamics, the research seeks to provide insights that could lead to effective early interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing mental health disorders in children by enhancing parent-child relationships.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between early parenting and child mental health, suggesting that this approach is both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phillips, Eric — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Phillips, Eric
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.