Understanding how early life stress affects children's ability to self-regulate

A longitudinal study of self-regulation development: Effects of early life stress and impact on school-readiness

NIH-funded research Eastern Michigan University · NIH-10197586

This study looks at how tough experiences in childhood, like growing up in poverty or having a parent with mental health issues, affect kids' ability to manage their feelings and focus, and it aims to find ways to help children in challenging situations become better at self-control and succeed in school and social settings.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEastern Michigan University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ypsilanti, United States)
Project IDNIH-10197586 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how early life stressors, such as poverty and parental mental illness, impact children's ability to control their impulses, emotions, and attention. By examining various factors including parenting styles and physiological responses, the study aims to identify key elements that contribute to the development of self-regulation in children. The research will follow children over time to assess how these factors influence their academic readiness and social-emotional skills. Ultimately, the goal is to inform interventions that can help children in high-risk environments develop better self-regulation skills.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children from families experiencing early life stress, such as those living in poverty or with parental mental health issues.

Not a fit: Children who do not experience early life stress or who come from stable, supportive environments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that improve self-regulation in children facing early life stress, enhancing their academic and social outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that interventions targeting self-regulation can lead to significant improvements in children's behavioral and academic outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Ypsilanti, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.