Longitudinal study of child development based on videos of mother-infant interactions from a Brazilian cohort

• Grant number: 25/09041-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Agreement: Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal Foundation
• Principal Investigator: Rogerio Lerner
• Grantee: Monique Vaz Marques
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa (Insper). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa (Insper)
• Associated research grant: 19/12553-0 - Brazilian Center for Early Child Development, AP.PCPE

Abstract

This research project aims to analyze the long-term impact of the quality of mother-infant interaction on child development by examining video recordings taken when the infants are 6 and 18 months old. The expected outcomes of this project include two main sources of data: coded assessments of mother-infant interactions using the Coding Interactive Behavior (CIB) protocol, and the results of child development evaluation tools such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire - ASQ-3-BR. The research will be conducted within the context of the longitudinal cohort study led by the Brazilian Center for Applied Research in Early Childhood (CPAPI), part of the FAPESP project 2019/12553-0, based in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. This study follows infants over time to investigate both risk and protective factors related to child development. Evidence shows that care and investments made during early childhood-whether directed at children themselves or at their caregivers-have a positive impact on various aspects of a child's life, including brain architecture and long-term quality of life. As a result, increasing research in the field of early childhood and emphasizing the importance of parent/caregiver relationships expands opportunities for healthy development and supports the advancement of public policies. These policies aim to provide families with access to multidisciplinary interventions, evidence-based information, and the support needed to ensure children and their families have a better chance at a high-quality life.