Risky Beginnings: A 3-year longitudinal study of expectant parents
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Origins of early individual differences in self regulation: A multi-method study involving mothers, fathers and infants in the UK, the Netherlands and the USA
IRAS ID
148749
Contact name
Claire Hughes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Research summary
Early childhood conduct problems are very common and predict multiple adverse life-course outcomes. Understanding the origins of conduct problems is an urgent challenge. This multi-site study integrates physiological, cognitive and relationship perspectives in an effort to explain the links between paternal and maternal influences on infant self-regulation and behavioural problems in the first two years of life. An enriched sampling design (maximizing participation of expectant parents showing high levels of stress, anxiety or depression) will be used to recruit 400 expectant mothers and their partners in the UK, USA and the Netherlands. Parents’ and infants’ cognitive self-control skills will be indexed by scores on objective tasks designed to measure the ability to inhibit maladaptive responses, shift flexibly between different tasks and update information held in mind. Infants’ challenging behaviours (e.g., tantrums, non-compliance and aggressive behaviour) and the quality of parent-child interaction will be measured using direct observation across multiple home visits. We will also gather saliva samples from expectant mothers and from infants at 14-months in order to assess both maternal and infant diurnal cortisol variation (an index of responsiveness to stressful situations). In an attempt to explain the links between parental behaviour and infants’ self-control and behavioural problems, we will examine the role of parent-child attachment relationships, partner conflict, parental sensitivity, parental cognitive self-control.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1113
Date of REC Opinion
5 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion