How parental income affects children's mental health and immune function
Official title: Experimental evidence of the impact of parental income on child mental health and neuroimmune function
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11072773 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how extra money for families can affect the mental health and well-being of kids aged 5 to 14 from lower-income backgrounds, to see if financial support helps them feel better and grow healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,142,518 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH139198-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072773 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 5 to 14 years from lower-income families.
✕Less likely to help
Children from higher-income families or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between family income and the mental health and neuroimmune function of children. By conducting a double-blind randomized controlled trial, the study will provide substantial income supplements to some families while others will receive minimal support. The goal is to understand how these financial changes impact children's mental health and biological responses over time. The research will involve 1,200 youth aged 5 to 14 years from lower-income families, allowing for a detailed examination of the effects of income on child development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that improve mental health outcomes for children from low-income families.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in similar income supplementation studies, indicating potential for significant impact on child development.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nusslock, Robin — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Nusslock, Robin
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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.