Understanding how infants experience emotions from 6 to 17 months

Describing the emotional environment of the infant from 6 to 17 months

NIH-funded research Rutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark · NIH-10883979

This study looks at how babies aged 6 to 17 months learn about feelings from their everyday interactions with caregivers, by watching videos of these moments to see what emotions and words they are exposed to, helping us understand how this shapes their emotional growth and social skills.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers the State Univ of Nj Newark NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, United States)
Project IDNIH-10883979 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how infants between 6 to 17 months old are exposed to emotional information in their everyday environments. By analyzing existing video datasets of infants interacting with their caregivers, the study aims to identify the types of emotional expressions and language that infants encounter. The researchers will code facial expressions and assess the emotional language used by caregivers to understand how these factors influence infants' emotional development and social interactions. This work is crucial for understanding the foundations of emotional recognition and regulation in early childhood.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research are infants aged 6 to 17 months and their caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients who may not receive benefit from this research include older children or adults who are beyond the infant age range.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of emotional development in infants, potentially leading to improved parenting strategies and early interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding emotional development through observational studies, making this approach both relevant and promising.

Where this research is happening

Newark, 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 2026-06-13 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.