Sensitivity of babies in the environment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Examining effects of parent-infant interaction and the home environment on stress and cognition in at-risk infants: case control study using traditional and naturalistic methods
IRAS ID
203979
Contact name
Sam V Wass
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 8 days
Research summary
This study will examine stressability ('sensitivity', 'stress reactivity') in infants of parents who have been referred to parent-infant mental health services, as well as control infants. It will investigate the impact of the home environment on infant stress and cognition, as well as the mediating factor of parental responsivity. We will use both traditional, trial-based methods as well as naturalistic methods in the world the families live in. These methods allow for analyses across two very different settings.
Children of parents with mental health problems are themselves at elevated risk of similar problems in later life. Efforts to understand the mechanism by which intergenerational risks are passed on have included a focus on the neurophysiological stress response, associated with numerous psychological disorders. Recent research shows that infants of parents with mental health problems indicate heightened stressability, predicting later life biological sensitivity to social stress, higher risk of childhood mental illness and oppositional behaviour. Specific stress levels are also viewed as critical for developing cognitive functions, e.g. attention. Overly high or low stressability is linked with clinical attention disorders, e.g. ADHD. Yet it seems stress could be cognitively advantageous depending on environmental conditions.
The lifelong stress reactivity of infants is shaped by parent-infant interaction, e.g. gaze, smile, vocalisation, and affectionate touch. Parenting is influenced by the home environment, e.g. noise, clutter, routine. This subsequently influences infant cognition and regulatory skills. Research suggests the home environment, more than many other variables, impacts child regulatory processes (with parental responsivity as mediator). However: naturalistic data in this area is highly limited.
The parent-infant relationship and the home environment is considered central in the psychological evaluation of infants and young children. A better understanding of these factors' effects on infant stress reactivity may confer benefits in supporting families, especially those with mental health or emotional difficulties.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1832
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion