How maternal psychological risks affect mother and infant well-being in different racial families
Official title: Neural mechanisms of psychological risk on mother and infant adjustment in African American and European American families
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10827396 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how feelings like depression and worries about relationships in new moms can affect how they care for their babies and how their babies adjust, especially during the important early days of motherhood, and it includes families from both African American and European American backgrounds to see if there are any differences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $552,590 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108218-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10827396 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include expectant mothers and their infants from African American and European American backgrounds, particularly those experiencing psychological distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not expecting a child or do not have infants may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how psychological risks, such as depression and attachment insecurity in mothers, impact their caregiving behaviors and the subsequent adjustment of their infants. By examining the brain mechanisms involved, the study aims to understand how these maternal risks affect the mother-infant relationship, particularly during the critical transition to motherhood. The research focuses on both African American and European American families to explore potential differences in these dynamics. Participants will undergo assessments that may include brain imaging and behavioral observations to gather comprehensive data on maternal and infant interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for mothers at risk, enhancing both maternal and infant health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding maternal mental health impacts on child development, but this specific focus on racial differences and neural mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rutherford, Helena Jv — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Rutherford, Helena Jv
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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.