How parent-child closeness affects children's mental health
Parent-child proximity and emerging psychopathology
This study is looking at how the time and interactions between babies and their caregivers can affect the babies' brain development and mental health, and it involves pregnant women and their little ones as they grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11042186 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of the caregiving environment on children's brain development and mental health. By focusing on the experiences of children with their caregivers during infancy, the study aims to understand how these interactions influence brain structure and function. Using innovative wearable technology, researchers will continuously measure the physical proximity between children and their caregivers, alongside assessing language exposure and other environmental factors. The study will involve pregnant women and their children, with assessments conducted at various developmental stages.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include pregnant women and their infants, particularly those interested in understanding the effects of caregiving on child development.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or do not have infants may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing child mental health through better understanding of caregiver interactions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that caregiver interactions significantly influence child development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Humphreys, Kathryn Leigh — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Humphreys, Kathryn Leigh
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.