Developmental Psychology

Using data from over a quarter-million siblings, researchers found little evidence that common infections during pregnancy influence children’s intelligence or school performance, suggesting that most antibiotic use in pregnancy is unlikely to harm long-term cognitive development.

A new study finds that by age 8, children tend to weigh the confidence of disagreeing adults and can form their own beliefs by combining both perspectives—revealing a shift from imitation to independent, strategic thinking.

A new study finds that children’s intellectual humility may be influenced by how their parents talk about uncertainty—not how humble parents believe themselves to be. The research highlights a gap between self-perception and behavior in shaping children’s thinking.

A new UK study finds that bright 5-year-olds from low-income families match their affluent peers academically through primary school, but between ages 11 and 14, they face steep declines in motivation, behavior, mental health, and exam performance.

A new study has found that babies with more diverse gut bacteria at two weeks old tend to show more negative emotions as toddlers. The findings highlight how early-life microbial environments may influence emotional development years later.

A new study finds that fathers’ anxiety during pregnancy and early infancy is linked to higher risks of emotional and behavioral problems in their children, highlighting the importance of paternal mental health in shaping early developmental outcomes.

Researchers have discovered that female rats exposed to BPA before birth show lasting changes in brain cells and behavior linked to schizophrenia. The findings suggest that prenatal exposure to this common plastic chemical could increase psychiatric risk later in life.

A sweeping new study provides the strongest evidence yet that children’s screen time and mental health are part of a feedback loop. Emotional problems predict greater screen use, while excessive screen use predicts later emotional and behavioral difficulties.

A new nine-year study from China supports a central idea in attachment theory: early maternal sensitivity helps shape secure attachment. Researchers found that children with more responsive mothers developed stronger expectations of caregiver support by age 10.

Living near trees and parks may do more than lift children’s spirits—it may shape their brains. New research reveals that greener neighborhoods are associated with stronger brain structure, better behavior, and enhanced cognitive skills in children aged 9 to 10.

A new brain imaging study finds that adolescents with highly anxiety-sensitive parents show distinct neural responses during emotional tasks. The findings suggest that parent traits may shape how children attend to and manage emotional experiences, potentially influencing future mental health.

New research shows that infants carried in chest carriers had lower stress levels and slept longer than those in strollers. The study also found that mothers felt less stressed indoors, suggesting differences in how environments and closeness affect parent-infant well-being.

New research finds a link between how adults recall being parented and their current life difficulties. These challenges may be partly explained by personality traits, such as lower conscientiousness, that are connected to early family environments and adult well-being.

A new study suggests exercise can reduce the psychological toll of childhood adversity, but its benefits are not universal. Researchers found that a person’s genetic makeup, specifically a variant in the BDNF gene, can influence how effectively physical activity buffers...

A new study shows that when mothers experience hostile conflict with their partner, they may feel less emotionally secure—an effect that predicts harsher discipline toward their children. Fathers showed no similar pattern in parenting behavior.