Understanding how family violence affects infant health and development
Official title: Mechanisms Linking Family Violence and Infant Health and Development in the Perinatal Period
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-10932326 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how family violence, like partner abuse and child mistreatment, affects the health and development of babies before and after they are born, especially focusing on how stress from these situations can harm infants, and it will follow families over time to better understand these connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $637,096 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111437-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932326 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include low-income and minoritized women who have experienced family violence during pregnancy and their infants under one year of age.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by family violence or who are outside the perinatal period may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of family violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment, on the health and development of infants during the perinatal period. It focuses on how maternal stress from such violence can lead to negative outcomes for infants, including poor health and socioemotional issues. By examining biological, behavioral, and social pathways, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that link prenatal violence to child maltreatment and infant health outcomes. The research will follow participants over time to gather comprehensive data on these interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions and support systems for families affected by violence, ultimately enhancing infant health and development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the effects of family violence on health can lead to significant improvements in intervention strategies, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Samantha M — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Brown, Samantha 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.