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Intergenerational impact of maternal trauma history on preschoolers' behavioral health outcomes: Assessing links with caregiving sensitivity and DNA methylation

Award Number: R01HD102342
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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Intergenerational impact of maternal trauma history on preschoolers' behavioral health outcomes: Assessing links with caregiving sensitivity and DNA methylation - PROJECT SUMMARY Background: This study seeks to better understand maternal trauma history as a driver of behavior health problems in 4-year-old children. We will examine the impact of maternal trauma across four time periods 1) maternal experience of pre-pregnancy abuse in childhood (when mothers < 18 years), 2) maternal experience of pre-pregnancy of abuse in adulthood, 3) maternal experience of abuse during pregnancy, and 4) maternal report of postnatal abuse (after childbirth to time of assessment) on their children’s behavioral problems (internalizing and externalizing behaviors). Using a lifecourse theory approach within an intergenerational context, we will test three models to determine whether the effect of maternal trauma 1) depends on the timing of exposure (Sensitive Period model); or 2) is strongest when it is most proximal to the child outcome examined (Recency model); or 3) increases with the number of exposures (Accumulation model). A primary study aim is to investigate how “experience gets under the skin” by examining associations between maternal trauma history with children’s salivary DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles. Finally, we will test whether the effects of maternal trauma history on child health outcomes are mediated by children’s salivary DNAm profiles and maternal caregiving sensitivity. Study Design: Building on an existing prospective longitudinal cohort of Peruvian women, recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy, established as part of a prior NICHD-funded grant (n = 4,472 live births), the study has well-characterized data on maternal trauma history, maternal lifetime psychopathology, and extensive data on birth outcomes. This sample has a high prevalence of childhood maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and other traumas (88% report at least one trauma and 30% report 3 or more traumas), and psychopathology (e.g., 33% PTSD, 26% depression, and 33% generalized anxiety). We will collect follow-up data on a subset of mother-child dyads (n=1,700). Implications: By examining modifiable risk (maternal trauma history) and protective factors (maternal caregiving sensitivity), particularly in sensitive periods of development, and by determining whether and how these factors impact biological systems, this study can inform future research and interventions to address the significant intergenerational public health burden of trauma.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2024	HARVARD COLLEGE PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF	677 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	5	12/19/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $592,957 )
2024	2024	HARVARD COLLEGE PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF	677 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	5	7/18/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$592,957
														Subtotal = $592,957

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $568,400 )
2023	2023	HARVARD COLLEGE PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF	677 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	4	8/14/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$568,400
														Subtotal = $568,400

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $573,267 )
2022	2022	HARVARD COLLEGE PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF	677 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	3	8/4/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$573,267
														Subtotal = $573,267

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $582,845 )
2021	2021	PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE	677 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	2	8/4/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$582,845
														Subtotal = $582,845

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $649,138 )
2020	2020	PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE	677 HUNTINGTON AVE	BOSTON	MA	02115	SUFFOLK	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	9/8/2020	NEW	$649,138
														Subtotal = $649,138

Grand Total All Awards = $2,966,607

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Intergenerational impact of maternal trauma history on preschoolers' behavioral health outcomes: Assessing links with caregiving sensitivity and DNA methylation

Award Number: R01HD102342

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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