Significance of early experiences and stress
Childhood is a time of rapid development, including both neurobiological processes and fundamental beliefs about the world and interpersonal relationships. Already beginning from pregnancy, multiple environmental factors shape development. This subproject focuses on early life stress (ELS), adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and unpredictability of early social environment. The aim is to understand the social and evolutionary underpinnings of self-regulation, mental health, and interpersonal functioning. Our core questions include: (1) how different types of stressful early life experiences relate to developmental outcomes; (2) whether there are sensitive periods curing which certain exposures are particularly influential; and (3) how environmental and individual factors together shape long-term outcomes.
Family and peer relationships
Family and peer context are the most important long-term predictors of children’s development and wellbeing. This subproject focuses on parenting, couple relationships, and peer relations. We examine multiple levels of family relationships, such as whole-family dynamics, parenting styles and parent-child interactions, relationship attitudes and ideals. We are also interested in internal representations and strategies guiding relationships, including trait and state attachment and mentalizing. Regarding peer relations, our interest lies in peer exclusion, peer attachments, social strategies, and skills. We are specifically interested in the two core functions of relationships: autonomy and intimacy. Our research targets dynamic relational processes unfolding across multiple time scales and their interplay with parental and child mental health, as well as child development. We utilize both longitudinal and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data to capture long-term and short-term relational processes as they unfold over time.
Emotions and emotion regulation
Emotions touch every important aspect of our lives, guiding our thoughts and actions. A fundamental feature of emotions is their dynamic nature—they constantly evolve in response to shifts in our internal states and external circumstances. This subproject examines everyday emotional processes through real-time data captured by Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Our research aims to (1) understand the dynamics of young adults’ emotions and related processes; (2) explore contextual and state-like factors that modify emotional flow, including emotion regulation and interpersonal interactions; and (3) identify trait-like and developmental factors that underpin individual differences in emotion dynamics. By seeking a deeper understanding of the patterns and trajectories of daily emotional experiences, our findings can inform interventions to promote socioemotional well-being and resilience.
Psychophysiological regulation and somatic health
Multiple regulatory processes guide human development and health, some of the most vital ones relating to psychophysiological-hormonal and sleep regulation. This subproject analyses the roles and interplay between autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, including assessments of diurnal cortisol patterns and cortisol and alpha-amylase responses to stress. Other studied processes include heart rate variability and skin electrical conductivity as stress responses, as well as sleep onset, duration, and quality. Our research aims to understand (1) how changes in psychophysiological-hormonal regulation and somatic health shape children’s emotional and behavioral development; (2) how early-life experiences relate to individual differences in stress regulation and health; and (3) how sleep patterns and related biological rhythms affect development and well-being. We intend to offer a comprehensive view of the body–mind connection, emphasizing dynamic and multilevel ways of biological processes interacting with social and psychological factors.
Infertility history and obstetric factors
Psychological and medical factors in pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum may be important for child development and family wellbeing. This subproject focuses on the role of obstetric factors, such as infertility and assisted reproduction techniques (ART), fear of birth, pregnancy complications, and experiences of delivery for child and family wellbeing. The main research questions are: (1) do parents with ART and spontaneous conception differ in their obstetric factors, parenting, family relationships, and mental health? (2) how do children conceived with ART vs. spontaneously differ in their social, cognitive, neuroendocrinological and emotional development, and mental and somatic health. (3) how do obstetric factors and birth experiences influence family relationships and mental health, and children’s development, and health. The findings can assist in tailoring support services and provide guidance for families with various obstetric backgrounds.