Understanding how mothers' childhood hardships affect their children's mental health

Exploring Mechanisms Linking Maternal Childhood Adversity to Adolescent Psychopathology: The Role of Early Childhood Deprivation and Threat

['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-10811371

This study looks at how tough experiences that mothers went through as kids can affect their teenagers' mental health, helping us understand the links between a mother's past and her child's feelings and behavior.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10811371 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how childhood maltreatment experienced by mothers can influence their children's mental health during adolescence. By analyzing existing data from the Family Life Project, the study aims to uncover the pathways that link maternal trauma to behavioral and emotional issues in their children. The research employs innovative models from developmental neuroscience to explore these connections, focusing on both externalizing and internalizing symptoms in adolescents. The findings could provide insights into the long-term effects of maternal adversity on child development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents whose mothers have reported experiencing childhood maltreatment.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a maternal history of childhood adversity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for children at risk of mental health issues due to their mothers' past experiences.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown significant links between maternal childhood adversity and offspring mental health, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.

Where this research is happening

CHAPEL HILL, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.