Understanding stress and opioid use in pregnant women

Psychosocial and neurobiological stress and opioid use trajectories following pregnancy

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10892111

This study is looking at how stress affects the use of opioids in pregnant women, especially those getting help for opioid addiction, to find out what influences their opioid use during and after pregnancy, so we can improve treatment options for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10892111 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how psychosocial stress affects opioid use in pregnant women, particularly those undergoing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. By comparing mothers receiving treatment with those who are not, the study aims to identify the factors that influence opioid use during and after pregnancy. Participants will undergo assessments of stress, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms, along with neuroimaging to explore brain responses to stress and infant distress cues. The goal is to better understand the relationship between stress and opioid use to improve treatment strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder or those not receiving such treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a history of opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for pregnant women struggling with opioid addiction, enhancing both maternal and child health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing psychosocial stress can positively impact addiction treatment outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.