Understanding how threat sensitivity is passed from parents to young children
Official title: Intergenerational transmission of threat sensitivity as an risk marker for psychopathology in young children
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11023511 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how kids learn to feel more anxious about things they see as threats and how their parents might play a role in that, using fun activities and brain tests to find ways to help kids who struggle with anxiety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $681,690 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH138428-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023511 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are children aged 4-8 years and their mothers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of mother-child dyads or who are outside the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how heightened sensitivity to perceived threats develops in children and how it may be influenced by their parents. By examining mother-child pairs, the study will assess various factors including behavioral, neural, and biological responses to threats. The research employs a range of methods such as clinical interviews, computer tasks, and EEG to gather comprehensive data on threat sensitivity. The goal is to identify patterns that could help in developing interventions for anxiety in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating anxiety disorders in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the intergenerational transmission of psychological traits, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, Lauren K — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: White, Lauren K
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.