Supporting families to prevent child behavior challenges and promote healthy development
Official title: Prevention of Attachment Insecurity, Physiological Dysregulation, and Child Behavior Problems
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11136874 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project helps families in Early Head Start programs learn ways to support their children's emotional security and prevent behavior challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $636,037 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105676-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136874 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and families participating in Early Head Start programs, especially those facing challenges like low income or parental depression, are the focus of this work.
✕Less likely to help
Children who have already developed severe behavioral problems or are not in the early childhood age range targeted by this prevention program may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how a program called Circle of Security – Parenting (COS-P) can help families. We know that strong, secure bonds between children and caregivers are vital for a child's well-being, especially in stressful situations. When these bonds are not secure, children might face more behavior challenges or physical health issues. This program aims to teach parents and caregivers skills to build secure attachments, which could prevent these difficulties and support children's healthy growth. The goal is to provide a widely usable approach to support children's healthy development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could offer a proven way for families to foster secure attachments and reduce behavior problems in children, leading to better mental and physical health.
How similar studies have gone: While some approaches to preventing insecure attachment have shown promise, this specific intervention aims to achieve widespread implementation and is being rigorously tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cassidy, Jude a — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Cassidy, Jude a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Prevention of Attachment Insecurity and Related Child Problems in Early Head Start
A structured program tests whether teaching caregivers in high-risk families to respond sensitively can improve attachment, regulate physiology, and reduce behavior problems in young children.
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Supporting secure attachment and healthy stress responses in young children
A parenting program called Circle of Security–Parenting will be offered to families with young children in Early Head Start to help prevent insecure attachment, stress-related health problems, and behavior issues.
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Improving secure attachment and reducing behavior problems in young children
This study is looking at how to help families with young children, especially those facing challenges like low income and stress, by using a special program called Circle of Security – Parenting to strengthen their relationships and support their kids' emotional well-being.
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Improving child attachment and behavior through parenting support
This study is looking at how a special program called Circle of Security – Parenting can help parents and caregivers of young children, especially those facing tough situations, to build stronger emotional connections and support their kids' healthy development.
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Feel Good life skills program to boost school climate and well-being in French 4th–5th graders
This intervention tests whether a playful, interactive life skills program can improve school climate and children's well-being in French 4th and 5th graders.
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Teacher-delivered mental health support for K–8 students in North Carolina
This project tests whether training elementary and middle school teachers in North Carolina to deliver brief mental health support can help K–8 students with depression, anxiety, or behavior problems.
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.