Research roundup: April 2024

This US study explored key environmental resources and their effect on the healthy cognitive, socio-emotional and neurological development of a child in their first 3 years of life.

The study was longitudinal in design and assessed a sample of 232 mother–infant dyads. The aim was to define basic psychosocial resources during this key period of development, which may help to inform policy. These resources were identified each as ‘thrive factor’ (T factor). The study took place at an academic medical centre from 2017 to 2022. The sample was oversampled for factors such as poverty. The children assessed had not been exposed to any birth complications, congenital abnormalities or exposure in utero to substances.

The T factor the team identified was composed of environmental stimulation, nutrition, neighbourhood safety, positive caregiving and child sleep. The outcomes through to age 3 were assessed by measuring grey and white matter brain volumes and cortical folding at age 2 and 3. Cognitive and language development was assessed at 3 years using the BayleyIII assessment. The researchers also assessed internalising and externalising symptoms at age 2, using the Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment.