Understanding how parent-infant emotional connections develop
Official title: Emotional and biobehavioral mechanisms of parent-infant emotional synchrony
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10949077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how parents and babies connect emotionally and how those early moments can shape a child's feelings and relationships as they grow up, using special tools to better understand these interactions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $131,333 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HD115784-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parents and their infants, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, including African American families.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not parents or guardians of infants aged 0-11 years may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the emotional and behavioral mechanisms that contribute to the emotional synchrony between parents and infants. By examining how these early interactions influence a child's socioemotional development, the study aims to identify the pathways that lead to healthy emotional functioning throughout life. The research will utilize advanced techniques such as ECG and EEG to gather data on parent-infant interactions, and it will integrate both qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that promote healthier emotional development in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding parent-child emotional dynamics, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lavallee, Andreane — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Lavallee, Andreane
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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.