Understanding how early life stress affects children's ability to self-regulate
Official title: A longitudinal study of self-regulation development: Effects of early life stress and impact on school-readiness
Funded at Eastern Michigan University · NIH-10197586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Eastern Michigan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ypsilanti, United States) |
| Project start | August 31, 2021 |
| Project end | August 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $445,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HD105179-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10197586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not experience early life stress or who come from stable, supportive environments may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawler, Jamie M — Eastern Michigan University
- Study coordinator: Lawler, Jamie M
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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.