How maternal depression affects infant self-regulation

Perinatal depressive symptoms and infant self-regulation: Pathways through infant autonomic regulation and postnatal maternal sensitivity

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-11162159

This study looks at how feelings of depression in mothers during and after pregnancy can affect their babies' ability to manage their emotions and behaviors, helping us understand how to support both moms and their little ones better.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11162159 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how depressive symptoms in mothers during and after pregnancy influence their infants' ability to self-regulate. It focuses on understanding the different ways maternal depression can affect infants, particularly through physiological regulation and parenting sensitivity. By examining the timing of these depressive symptoms, the study aims to identify specific risk pathways that may lead to self-regulation impairments in infants. The research employs advanced analytical methods to explore these interactions and their implications for infant development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include mothers experiencing depressive symptoms during the perinatal period and their infants.

Not a fit: Patients who are not mothers or do not have infants may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for mothers and infants, potentially reducing the risk of depression in future generations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing maternal mental health can positively impact child development, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.

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 2026-06-13 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.