Stress and the intergenerational transmission of (un)healthy behaviour
Some families struggle with a disproportionate accumulation of mental and physical health problems, such as depression, addiction, obesity and diabetes. We currently know little about the risk factors underlying these. It is likely that early and frequent exposure to stressors (e.g., poverty and family conflict) and susceptibility to the effects of adversity play a major role.
This project will develop a model in which the risk factors and mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of health and health behaviors within families at high cumulative risk can be identified, explored and understood.
The first year will start with
- formulating a theoretical model based on extensive literature review;
- empirically testing the model with existing data from different health cohorts and 3) conducting interviews with families and Amsterdam institutions.
The goal is to conduct research on effective interventions at a later stage.
- Faculties involved: FMG, FNWI, FdG/Amsterdam UMC and FGw
- Contact person: Bram Orobio de Castro (FMG)