Understanding how maternal depression affects children's emotional development
Charting Positive Valence Systems Trajectories in Offspring of Depressed Mothers to Predict Internalizing Symptoms in Early Childhood
This study looks at how a mother's depression can affect her young child's feelings and behavior, especially for kids who might be more likely to develop anxiety or depression themselves, so we can find ways to help them early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10979020 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal depression on the emotional and behavioral development of children, particularly focusing on those at high risk for developing anxiety and depressive disorders. By studying the trajectories of Positive Valence Systems in young children, the research aims to identify key markers of vulnerability that can be targeted for early prevention efforts. The approach involves a multimodal, accelerated longitudinal design, which will track changes in emotional responsiveness over time in children of depressed mothers. This study seeks to fill gaps in existing knowledge by examining these effects in preschool-aged children, rather than just adolescents.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have mothers with a history of depression.
Not a fit: Children whose mothers do not have a history of depression may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early interventions that significantly reduce the risk of anxiety and depression in children of depressed mothers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding emotional development in high-risk youth can lead to effective prevention strategies, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
University Park, United States
- Pennsylvania State University, the — University Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burkhouse, Katie L — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Burkhouse, Katie L
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 below.