Research Studies
Psychological Risk on Mothers and Infants Study (PROMISE)
Study Overview: This study examines the significance of psychological risk (attachment insecurity, depression) on the maternal brain over the transition to motherhood, and considers the significance of the maternal brain for parent and child outcomes. This study comprises a large sample of 200 Black/African American and 200 White/European American nulliparous expectant mothers and their infants, making it one of the largest and most diverse studies of the maternal brain to date. This is a multisite collaborative study between Dr. Helena Rutherford at Yale University and Dr. Ashley Groh at MU.
Study Funding: This study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Study Overview: This study examines the significance of psychological risk (attachment insecurity, depression) on the maternal brain over the transition to motherhood, and considers the significance of the maternal brain for parent and child outcomes. This study comprises a large sample of 200 Black/African American and 200 White/European American nulliparous expectant mothers and their infants, making it one of the largest and most diverse studies of the maternal brain to date. This is a multisite collaborative study between Dr. Helena Rutherford at Yale University and Dr. Ashley Groh at MU.
Study Funding: This study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Minds of Mothers Study (MOMS)
Study Overview: This study examines how the brain changes as women transition to becoming mothers and the impact of these changes on parenting behavior and infant development.
Study Participation: Participation includes lab visits over the transition to motherhood (3rd trimester of pregnancy, and 4, 8, and 12 months post-partum). During lab visits, mothers' brain activity will be monitored while they listen to and view infant emotional expressions. During postnatal visits, mothers and babies will complete caregiving tasks (e.g., diaper change) and play together. Each lab visit is approximately 1-2 hours.
Compensation: Mothers receive $50 after each lab visit and a $50 bonus for completing all lab visits for a total of $350.
Get Involved! Now recruiting expectant, first-time mothers in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Complete the contact form to receive information about how to participate.
Study Funding: This study is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Study Overview: This study examines how the brain changes as women transition to becoming mothers and the impact of these changes on parenting behavior and infant development.
Study Participation: Participation includes lab visits over the transition to motherhood (3rd trimester of pregnancy, and 4, 8, and 12 months post-partum). During lab visits, mothers' brain activity will be monitored while they listen to and view infant emotional expressions. During postnatal visits, mothers and babies will complete caregiving tasks (e.g., diaper change) and play together. Each lab visit is approximately 1-2 hours.
Compensation: Mothers receive $50 after each lab visit and a $50 bonus for completing all lab visits for a total of $350.
Get Involved! Now recruiting expectant, first-time mothers in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Complete the contact form to receive information about how to participate.
Study Funding: This study is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Attachment, Cognition, and Emotion Study (ACE)
Study Overview: This study examines the legacy of early experiences as indexed via adult attachment representations for adults' neurocognitive processing of emotional facial expressions prior to becoming a parent in a sample of Black/African Americans and White/European Americans. This study will comprise 140 participants, and data collection is ongoing.
Study Funding: MU Department of Psychological Sciences Fund to Support Underrepresented Participant Recruitment
Study Overview: This study examines the legacy of early experiences as indexed via adult attachment representations for adults' neurocognitive processing of emotional facial expressions prior to becoming a parent in a sample of Black/African Americans and White/European Americans. This study will comprise 140 participants, and data collection is ongoing.
Study Funding: MU Department of Psychological Sciences Fund to Support Underrepresented Participant Recruitment
Family Adjustment During the COVID-19 Pandemic Study
Overview: We recently followed-up with families who participated in the PAIR study to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted family adjustment and to identify interpersonal resources that help buffer the negative impact of the pandemic on parent and child adjustment.
Thank you to all of the families who participated in this follow-up study, despite the challenge the pandemic presents. Initial findings are under review and will be shared with families soon!
Overview: We recently followed-up with families who participated in the PAIR study to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted family adjustment and to identify interpersonal resources that help buffer the negative impact of the pandemic on parent and child adjustment.
Thank you to all of the families who participated in this follow-up study, despite the challenge the pandemic presents. Initial findings are under review and will be shared with families soon!
Parent and Infant Responses to Social and Emotional Experiences Study (PAIR Study)
Overview: This study followed mothers, fathers, and infants from age 6 months to 2.5 years to examine the biological, emotional, and cognitive mechanisms by which parent-child relationships are transmitted across generations and impact children's adjustment. Data collection for all waves of this study are now complete. Thanks to all the families who participated in this study! We will be sending out a newsletter to participating families with study findings soon.
Study Funding: This study was supported by the University of Missouri Research Board and University of Missouri Dr. Richard Wallace Faculty Incentive Grant.
Overview: This study followed mothers, fathers, and infants from age 6 months to 2.5 years to examine the biological, emotional, and cognitive mechanisms by which parent-child relationships are transmitted across generations and impact children's adjustment. Data collection for all waves of this study are now complete. Thanks to all the families who participated in this study! We will be sending out a newsletter to participating families with study findings soon.
Study Funding: This study was supported by the University of Missouri Research Board and University of Missouri Dr. Richard Wallace Faculty Incentive Grant.
Study of Attachment Representations
Study Overview: This study comprised a sample of 60 young adults who completed various measures of adult attachment while being physiologically monitored to examine how early experiences with parents are represented in adulthood. Data collection for this study is complete. Thanks to those who participated!
Study Funding: This study was supported by a Psi Chi Undergraduate Research Grant awarded to Paul Caldo under the supervision of Dr. Groh.
Study Overview: This study comprised a sample of 60 young adults who completed various measures of adult attachment while being physiologically monitored to examine how early experiences with parents are represented in adulthood. Data collection for this study is complete. Thanks to those who participated!
Study Funding: This study was supported by a Psi Chi Undergraduate Research Grant awarded to Paul Caldo under the supervision of Dr. Groh.
Meta-Analyses on Children's Attachment Relationships with Parents
Overview: Research on the developmental origins and consequences of the quality of children's early relationships with parents has been conducted for decades. However, findings across studies are not always consistent. To provide a more precise understanding of the developmental significance of early parent-child relationships, we have conducted several meta-analyses to evaluate extant evidence in light of key developmental questions.
Overview: Research on the developmental origins and consequences of the quality of children's early relationships with parents has been conducted for decades. However, findings across studies are not always consistent. To provide a more precise understanding of the developmental significance of early parent-child relationships, we have conducted several meta-analyses to evaluate extant evidence in light of key developmental questions.
Figure depicts findings from a series of meta-analyses on infant attachment and children's social competence, externalizing symptomatology, internalizing symptomatology, and temperament. From: Groh, A. M., Fearon, R. P., Van IJzendoorn, M. H., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., & Roisman, G. I. (2017). Attachment in the early life course: Meta-analytic evidence for its role in socioemotional development. Child Development Perspectives, 11, 70-76. doi: 10.1111/cdep.12213 |