Growing independence can signal a developing capacity for emotional regulation, even when it means a parent and child become less synchronized. In the MRI-funded project Mapping Maternal–Child Relational Dynamics in Early Childhood, Dr. Nicole Perry of the University of Texas at Austin examines how behavioral and physiological synchrony between mothers and children changes between ages 2.5 and 3.5, and how these changes relate to relationship quality and children’s emotional adjustment.

The study follows 103 mother–child pairs across two developmental assessments, combining behavioral observations, physiological measures, and caregiver reports. During a shared problem-solving task, researchers assess reciprocal engagement, shared attention, and relational warmth alongside respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a measure of heart-rate variability associated with physiological regulation. Children also participate in frustration tasks that capture strategies such as help-seeking, distraction, and persistence. Caregiver questionnaires provide additional information about children’s adjustment and mothers’ own emotional and psychological functioning.

By examining the same relationships over time, this project advances a systemic understanding of how children develop emotional regulation through repeated interactions with caregivers. Greater synchrony may support co-regulation, while decreases in synchrony may sometimes reflect growing autonomy rather than diminished connection. Dr. Perry’s work explores how these patterns relate to stronger relationships and adaptive emotional functioning, while considering how mothers’ own regulatory capacities shape this process. The study may clarify how parent–child relationships adapt to provide both connection and opportunities for independence during early childhood.

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Adolescent depression is often viewed through the experiences of young people themselves, but these challenges also unfold within family relationships. In the MRI-funded project Offspring Distress as a Threat to Health: Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms as Predictors of Parents’ Chronic Disease Risk, Dr. Erika Manczak of the University of Denver examines how adolescent depressive symptoms may influence not only youth outcomes, but also parents’ physical health during midlife.

The study brings together adolescent mental health, family functioning, and chronic disease risk, using a dyadic and multimethod approach. Adolescents’ depressive symptoms are assessed through clinical interviews, while parents’ health is evaluated through biological indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation, heart rate, and glucose. These measures are paired with assessments of parent–child interaction to better understand how relational stress may be linked to parental health outcomes.

By examining adolescents and parents together, this project advances a systemic perspective on mental and physical health. Dr. Manczak’s work highlights how distress may extend beyond the individual, shaping communication, emotional tone, and family well-being. The study also considers how factors such as parental empathy, socioeconomic context, and social support may either heighten or buffer health-related strain within families.

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When a loved one experiences early psychosis, the entire family may find itself adjusting to new roles, unfamiliar systems of care, and significant emotional uncertainty. In the MRI-funded project Culturally Informed Therapy (CIT) for Families in an Early Psychosis Clinic, Dr. Olivia Altamirano of Stanford University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences explored how a culturally responsive, family-centered intervention could be adapted for use in an early psychosis setting.

Implemented within Stanford’s INSPIRE Clinic, the 15-session intervention incorporated family collectivism, psychoeducation, spirituality, communication training, and problem-solving. By placing families’ cultural values, beliefs, and meaning-making processes within the therapeutic framework, the project examined how relational and cultural resources may support families as they navigate the early stages of psychosis.

The study also highlighted the practical realities of delivering family-based care in clinical settings, including challenges related to recruitment, retention, hospitalization, and changes in care. Although full analyses are ongoing, preliminary findings have been presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies conference. The project contributes to a growing body of work focused on making early psychosis treatment more relationally grounded, culturally responsive, and attentive to the family systems surrounding recovery.

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What happens after a parent receives an alert that their child may be at risk for suicide or self-harm? For many families, that moment can bring fear, uncertainty, and an urgent need to know how best to respond.

In the MRI-funded project Helping Parents Navigate Child Suicide Risk, Dr. Kathryn Fox at the University of Denver, Dr. Taylor Burke at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. Alex Bettis examined parents’ real-time responses to suicide and self-harm risk alerts. Partnering with MMGuardian, the research team surveyed 217 parents who had received an alert, exploring their emotional reactions, thoughts, interactions with their child, and needs for additional support.

The completed study found that for nearly one-third of parents, the alert was the first indication that their child might be experiencing suicide or self-harm risk. Many parents responded by expressing care, opening conversations about mental health, and validating their child’s emotions, although some also reported challenges related to trust. These findings are now informing an intervention designed to provide parents with evidence-based strategies for validation, safety planning, and suicide prevention. Pilot data from the MRI-funded project also helped the team secure an NIMH R34 grant to further develop and test the intervention with parents.

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When a loved one experiences early psychosis, recovery often becomes a shared family experience. Caregivers and primary supports may find themselves navigating uncertainty, emotional strain, and increased responsibility while also trying to maintain relationships that feel supportive rather than overwhelmed by stress.

In the MRI-funded project Fostering the Compassionate Mind: Implementing Compassion Training with Family Members of Individuals in Early Psychosis Recovery, Dr. Wendy Zhang of the INSPIRE Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine examines whether compassion-focused training can support both caregiver well-being and healthier family emotional dynamics during early psychosis recovery.

The project implements an eight-week Compassionate Mind Training group for family members and primary supports, combining guided compassion practices, educational content, and facilitated discussion. Using standardized assessments and qualitative interviews, the study examines whether the training can strengthen compassion toward self and others, reduce emotional distress and caregiver burden, increase positive affect, and reduce patterns of expressed emotion within the family.

By focusing on caregivers as part of the broader recovery environment, this work expands the conversation around early psychosis care beyond symptom management alone. The project may help inform family-centered approaches that support healthier emotional interactions and strengthen the relational context in which recovery unfolds.

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Feeling lonely does not always mean being alone. For older adults in long-term relationships, loneliness may develop within the partnership itself, shaping connection, support, and ultimately relationship stability.

In the MRI-funded project Dyadic Processes Underlying Loneliness and Risk of Divorce in Older Age, Dr. Jeffrey Stokes of the University of Massachusetts Boston, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Foundation, examines whether loneliness experienced by one or both partners predicts the risk of divorce after age 50. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, the project takes a dyadic approach to explore how each partner’s loneliness may influence the couple as a whole, including whether these patterns differ between husbands and wives.

By understanding loneliness as an interpersonal process rather than solely an individual experience, this research may help identify relational factors that contribute to gray divorce and inform approaches that strengthen connection and support among couples in later life.

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What happens when conflict between partners follows them into the night and poor sleep carries back into the relationship the next day?

In the MRI-funded project Cyclical Processes Linking Couple Conflicts to Sleep Quality, Dr. Yuxi Xie of Carnegie Mellon University examined the reciprocal relationship between everyday couple conflict and sleep. Following 109 cohabiting couples over ten days, the study combined daily diary reports with actigraphy sleep data to capture how partners’ interactions and sleep patterns unfolded from day to day.

The findings showed that greater conflict—particularly conflict involving aggression, hostility, or withdrawal—was associated with poorer sleep that night, while poor sleep increased the likelihood of destructive conflict behaviors the following day. Emotional distress and rumination emerged as important mechanisms in this cycle, and conflict was also associated with disruptions in sleep regularity, particularly wake-up times. This work highlights how closely relationship functioning and sleep health are connected and points to the potential value of interventions that help couples reduce destructive conflict, regulate difficult emotions, and interrupt rumination.

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What does relationship education look like when it is designed with culture, identity, and lived experience at the center?

In the MRI-funded project Culturally Adapting Individually Oriented Relationship Education for Latino Sexual Minority Men, Dr. Audrey Harkness of the University of Miami and Dr. Nicholas Perry of the University of Denver examined how an existing evidence-based relationship education program could be made more culturally responsive for Latino sexual minority men.

The project adapted Within My Reach into Hombre a Hombre, a culturally grounded intervention shaped by community input, expert feedback, and pilot testing. Delivered across five weekly, in-person sessions, the program was rated highly acceptable, appropriate, and feasible by both participants and facilitators.

Although the pilot was not powered to detect significant change, observed patterns suggested potential benefit and support future larger-scale evaluation. This work highlights the value of relationship-centered interventions that address intimacy, boundaries, communication, and well-being within specific cultural and social contexts.

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How might neural synchrony between close friends shape the course of depression? An MRI-funded study led by Dr. Lilian Y. Li of Northwestern University examined this question by measuring the alignment of brain activity between young adults with elevated depressive symptoms and one of their close friends during emotionally meaningful conversations.

Using simultaneous EEG recordings during a problem discussion and a positive sharing task, the study found that greater delta-band inter-brain synchrony during supportive conversations was associated with increased feelings of closeness. Higher synchrony also predicted greater reductions in depressive symptoms over the following three months, along with lower rumination and declining interpersonal stress.

By combining hyperscanning EEG with longitudinal follow-up, this MRI-funded project advances a relational understanding of depression and highlights how supportive friendship interactions may contribute to resilience and emotional well-being.

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How does minority stress shape the well-being of queer people of color (QPOC) in interethnic relationships? An MRI-funded study led by Sree Sinha, PhD, of the University of Denver examined this question through the lens of Couple-Level Minority Stress (CLMS), exploring how relationship-based stressors affect both individual flourishing and couple satisfaction.

Using data from 249 QPOC in interethnic relationships with White partners, the study found that greater couple-level minority stress was associated with lower relationship satisfaction and lower individual flourishing. At the same time, the research identified several protective factors—including couple identity, affective dyadic coping, and ethnosexual identity strength—that may help buffer the effects of minority stress on individual well-being.

By combining quantitative methods with an intersectional, strengths-based perspective, this MRI-funded project advances understanding of resilience among multiply marginalized couples and highlights factors that may help support healthy, thriving relationships.

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Prenatal experiences can shape development long before a child is born, but early caregiving may also influence how those experiences unfold after birth. Understanding how prenatal biology and parent–infant interactions work together is essential for identifying pathways that support healthy socioemotional development.

In the MRI-funded dissertation project The Relation Between Prenatal Stress and Infant Negative Emotionality: Buffering Effects of Maternal Predictability, Dr. Özlü Aran of the University of Denver examined whether changes in a prenatal stress hormone, placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), predict infant emotional responses at six months of age and whether predictable maternal caregiving can buffer these effects. Using detailed observations of mother–infant interactions alongside measures of prenatal stress biology, the study explored how early biological and relational experiences jointly contribute to infant socioemotional development.

Although maternal predictability did not moderate the relationship between prenatal stress and infant emotional outcomes, the findings advance a more nuanced understanding of how prenatal physiology and early caregiving intersect. By integrating biological and relational perspectives, this research contributes to the development of prevention and intervention strategies that support healthy emotional development from the very beginning of life.

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Parent-child relationships are shaped through everyday moments of connection, stress, and repair. These ordinary interactions may influence children’s emotional well-being in ways that are not always visible, including through the body’s physiological responses during shared experience.

In the MRI-funded project Physiological Synchrony in Everyday Parenting: What “Being in Sync” Really Means, Dr. Niyantri Ravindran and Dr. Drew Abney of the University of Georgia examine how parents and preschool-aged children become physiologically “in sync” during naturalistic interactions at home. Focusing on physiological synchrony as a marker of co-regulation, the study explores whether alignment in biological responses reflects healthy connection during positive interactions, or whether it may also signal co-dysregulation during moments of stress or conflict.

By studying these patterns in daily family life rather than only in laboratory settings, this project advances a more nuanced understanding of parent-child relationships—one that recognizes healthy attunement as flexible, context-dependent, and central to emotional development.

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Recovery from substance use involves more than reducing symptoms or changing behavior. For many individuals, internalized stigma can continue to shape self-worth, psychological well-being, and connection with others long after treatment or recovery has begun.

In the MRI-funded project Exploring the Impact of a Gratitude-Based Group on Flourishing in Individuals with Substance Use, Jeevanjot “JJ” Kapur of the University of Iowa examines whether a six-week gratitude-based group intervention can support flourishing among adults with lived experience of substance use. Grounded in research on gratitude, well-being, and relational connection, the study explores whether structured practices such as gratitude journaling, gratitude letters, interpersonal gratitude exchanges, and guided group reflection may help reduce loneliness, strengthen self-perception, and support psychological well-being.

By focusing on flourishing rather than substance use behavior alone, this project advances a strengths-based view of recovery—one that recognizes healing as both personal and relational.

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For spouses caring for a partner with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, emotional strain often unfolds in small, repeated moments across daily life. In the MRI-funded project Daily Emotion Regulation Strategies and Depression in Dementia Caregivers: A Multimodal Approach, Dr. Eva Dicker of Seattle University examines how caregivers use multiple emotion regulation strategies in real time and how those patterns relate to depression risk. The study focuses on emotion polyregulation—the sequencing and combination of strategies such as distraction, reappraisal, avoidance, and problem-solving—as caregivers respond to emotionally complex situations. By combining laboratory-based assessments, resting-state EEG, and two weeks of smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment, the project aims to identify which regulatory patterns may protect caregivers’ mental health and which may increase vulnerability. Findings from this work may inform more responsive interventions that support regulatory flexibility and better reflect the realities of dementia caregiving.

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Depression in later life often unfolds within the context of close relationships, shaping daily routines, communication patterns, and shared emotional life. In the MRI-funded project Depression and Relationship Quality Among Older Adult Couples: A Longitudinal, Multimethod Investigation, Dr. Danielle Weber (University of North Carolina at Greensboro), in collaboration with Dr. Justin Lavner and Dr. Steven Beach (University of Georgia), examines how depressive symptoms and relationship quality influence one another over time among older adult couples. Using longitudinal survey data from 398 adults aged 60 and older, along with observational Zoom conversations from a subset of couples, the study found that higher depressive symptoms predicted lower relationship quality two months later. The project also highlights constructive communication and shared enjoyable activities as important relational processes that may help explain how depression and relationship satisfaction are linked in later life.

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Digital communication can keep couples connected, but it often removes a key pathway to bonding: physical touch. In the MRI-funded project Exploring Touch in Virtual Reality in Young Adult Romantic Relationships, Dr. Thao Ha (Department of Psychology) and Dr. Liesel Sharabi (Hugh Downs School of Human Communication) at Arizona State University investigate whether touch within immersive VR carries meaningful relational and psychological significance. Sixty-one couples (ages 18–29) participated in a randomized protocol using ASU’s Dreamscape Learn VR pods, completing baseline surveys, a 15-minute shared VR interaction (touch vs. no-touch), immediate post-session assessments, and a one-month follow-up. The study integrates self-reported relationship functioning, loneliness, and perceived support with physiological data from wrist-worn devices and recorded behavioral interaction data. A key innovation is a validated VR-specific observational coding system that captures nuanced touch behaviors (initiation, response patterns, duration, and location). Preliminary results indicate that touch frequency and satisfaction during VR may be associated with higher satisfaction, trust, intimacy, and passion over time, highlighting the potential for human-centered VR design to support connection in contexts of isolation or separation.

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Chronic poverty doesn’t just strain finances—it can steadily wear down mental health, especially in later life. In the MRI-funded project Chronic Socioeconomic Stress, Psychological Distress, and Informal Support among Aging Kenyans, Dr. James R. Muruthi (University of Oregon) examined how chronic socioeconomic stress and informal support relate to psychological distress among older adults in low-income Kenyan communities. Using a computer-assisted, interviewer-administered survey, the team collected data from 376 adults age 55+ across Mai Mahiu, Machakos, and Kikuyu. Findings highlight substantial socioeconomic strain alongside meaningful variation in the support older adults draw from family, friends, and religious communities. The project lays important groundwork for future community-informed interventions that aim to reduce distress and promote healthy aging in resource-limited settings.

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Pregnancy and the postpartum period can intensify relationship strain as roles, health demands, finances, and family expectations shift—pressures that may be amplified in low-resource settings where perinatal mental health services are limited. In the MRI-funded project MotherWise in Nicaragua: Evaluation of a Culturally Adapted Relationship and Perinatal Mental Health Intervention, Dr. Galena Rhoades (Thriving Families) evaluates MotherWise, a culturally adapted relationship education program for pregnant and postpartum women. The intervention emphasizes practical skills in communication, conflict management, decision-making, and identifying healthy versus unhealthy relationship dynamics. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining pre–post outcome assessment with Spanish-language interviews, focus groups, and observations to understand both impact and contextual fit. Emerging findings point to increased awareness of mistreatment, enhanced self-reflection, and growing confidence, while also highlighting barriers such as time constraints, partner resistance, and entrenched gender norms. Results will support refinement and scalable, culturally responsive implementation strategies for communities seeking relationship-centered supports during the perinatal period.

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The transition to adolescence is marked by profound neurobiological and social change, increasing vulnerability to internalizing symptoms—particularly for youth exposed to early adversity. In an MRI-funded project, Dr. Bridget Callaghan (University of California, Los Angeles) and Dr. Jennifer Somers (Auburn University) investigated whether positive parenting behaviors promote resilience during this sensitive developmental period. Drawing on longitudinal data and direct observation of parent–child conflict and positive interaction tasks, the study identified reciprocal “positive spirals” in which caregivers and adolescents reinforced one another’s constructive emotional behaviors. These bidirectional patterns were associated with lower anxiety symptoms and improvements in youths’ emotion regulation capacities. By developing a novel microcoding system to capture second-by-second interaction dynamics, the team advanced a systemic model of adolescent mental health, underscoring that resilience emerges within relational exchanges.

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When teens need support, they often reach for their phones first—and the way a friend responds can matter. In the MRI-funded project Teenagers and texting: A multi-method examination of social support in adolescent friends’ text messages and associations with adjustment, Allie Spiekerman (University of Missouri) is studying how social support unfolds in adolescents’ everyday texting with close friends. The project pairs survey measures of friendship quality and depressive symptoms with two weeks of actual text-message exchanges from friend dyads ages 14–18, allowing researchers to move beyond broad “screen time” questions and focus on what friends do in real conversations. Texts are coded for positive/engaged responses (e.g., explicit support, questions, advice) and negative/disengaged responses (e.g., minimizing, changing the subject), as well as digital-specific features like positive emojis and how long it takes to reply. By modeling how each friend’s behaviors relate to both their own and their partner’s outcomes, this work aims to pinpoint the micro-moments of texting that promote healthier, more supportive friendships in adolescence.

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