# The Role of Social Adversity on Trajectories of Child Emotional Health Regulation

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $37,304

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Emotional health regulation, the ability to manage attention, affect and behavior, is directly related to long term
maintenance of health behaviors making it a cornerstone for wellness and wellbeing across the lifespan.
However, children who experience social adversity, such as low socioeconomic status, are at heightened risk
for experiencing emotional health problems. By preschool age, estimates indicate that one in five children
experience emotional health dysregulation, which lead to risky behaviors, impaired relationships,
psychopathology, and physical illness across the lifespan. Thus, school entry is a critical point for identification
of emotional health problems as caregivers, teachers, and school nurses can be strategically positioned to
conduct screening and interventions. To inform effective screening and intervention, we need to better
understand the role of social adversity on emotional health regulation trajectories and its relationship with
functional outcomes at school entry, such as academic performance. Additionally, because child emotional
regulation is directly affected by caregiving, we also need to explore modifiable maternal characteristics including
maternal executive functioning and parenting sensitivity which could be targeted for future intervention to
promote child wellness. In this NRSA F31 proposal, using rich longitudinal data from the Durham Child Health
and Development Study, I will adopt the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease framework to address
the following specific aims: 1) Determine early life social adversity's effect on emotional health regulation
trajectories from ages 0 to 3 years; 2) Determine whether emotional health regulation trajectories associate with
academic performance outcomes at school entry (kindergarten, 1st grade); and 3) Identify whether modifiable
maternal characteristics (i.e. executive function and parenting sensitivity) mediate the association of (a) social
adversity to emotional health regulation trajectories, and (b) emotional health regulation trajectories to academic
performance. The accompanying career development plan will provide the foundation for me to a) expand
expertise in the effects of early life adversity on child development and emotional health regulation; b) develop
methodological and analytic skills in longitudinal approaches; c) acquire knowledge in evidence-based nursing
intervention development and clinical translation; d) expand career development and team science skills. I have
a strong and highly successful mentorship team that is dedicated to my growth and development and will guide
me throughout this award. Together, the career development and research plan will support my development as
an independent nursing scientist in the area of social adversity, child health and well-being. This proposal aligns
with the wellness focus of the NINR Strategic Plan. This study will generate important knowledge related to the
conditions in which childhood e...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10312451
- **Project number:** 1F31NR020138-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Harry Adynski
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $37,304
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10312451

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10312451, The Role of Social Adversity on Trajectories of Child Emotional Health Regulation (1F31NR020138-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10312451. Licensed CC0.

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