Understanding how early life challenges affect emotional development in South African adolescents
Official title: Resilient Emotion Regulation Development in a South African Birth Cohort
Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-10898037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood affect how teenagers manage their emotions, especially in kids from low- and middle-income areas in Cape Town, South Africa, and it aims to find ways to help them develop better emotional skills despite these challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $992,759 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH130578-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898037 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 0-20 years who have experienced early life adversities in low- and middle-income settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or who have not experienced early life adversities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early adversities impact emotional regulation in adolescents from low- and middle-income countries, particularly focusing on a birth cohort in Cape Town, South Africa. By utilizing advanced brain imaging techniques and behavioral assessments, the study aims to identify protective factors that can enhance emotional development despite challenging circumstances. The research involves community participation to ensure that the findings are relevant and applicable to the local context. Ultimately, it seeks to create a model that explains how these protective factors influence neurodevelopment and emotional health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for supporting emotional development in adolescents facing early life adversities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding emotional regulation in adolescents, but this study aims to fill a significant gap in knowledge specific to low- and middle-income countries.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia Univ New York Morningside
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tottenham, Nim — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Tottenham, Nim
Related research
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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.