Understanding how perfectionism and control issues develop in young children and their link to anxiety and eating disorders.
Neural and behavioral trajectories of the overcontrolled phenotype: Associations with development, social context and psychiatric symptoms in early childhood
This study is looking at how traits like perfectionism and worry about making mistakes show up in young kids, and how these traits might be linked to issues like OCD and anxiety, all while considering how parenting and friendships play a role, to help find ways to support kids early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11079449 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how heightened performance monitoring and overcontrol traits, such as perfectionism and excessive concern for mistakes, manifest in young children. It aims to understand the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms behind these traits and their relationship with psychiatric disorders like OCD, social anxiety, and anorexia nervosa. By examining the influence of social contexts, such as parenting styles and peer interactions, the study seeks to identify early markers of these conditions. This could lead to new strategies for early intervention and treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 6 to 9 years who exhibit traits of perfectionism and excessive control.
Not a fit: Patients who do not exhibit these traits or are outside the age range of 6 to 9 years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention for children at risk of developing severe anxiety and eating disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding similar psychological traits and their impact on mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilbert, Kirsten — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Gilbert, Kirsten
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.