“Infant blood markers predict childhood mental health” is an article from Stanford News that is an example of a correlational study. The study described in the article aimed to determine whether certain blood markers in infancy can help predict childhood mental health outcomes. The researchers found that a larger presence of “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides in blood was associated with worse teacher ratings. In particular, unfavorable lipid levels caused bodily inflammation, leading to mood and motivation detrimental to studying (Hadhazy). The themes discussed in the article include childhood development, mental health, and the use of blood markers as predictors of health outcomes.
A correlational study is a research design that looks at the relationship between two or more variables without changing or manipulating them. The article describes a correlational study since it explores the relationship between infant blood markers and childhood mental health outcomes. The researchers examined the relationship between these two variables and determined if there was a positive association between the presence of specific blood markers and childhood mental health outcomes.
The researchers hypothesized that childhood mental health outcomes might depend on infant blood markers. The sample consisted of infants and their parents, and the study was conducted in the United States. The sample size was not specified in the article. Overall, the results of this correlational study contribute to the increasing understanding of the significance of early intervention and the possibility of utilizing biological markers to anticipate future health outcomes. Furthermore, these findings highlight the potential for early identification of mental health issues in children and adolescents.
Works Cited
Hadhazy, Adam. “Infant blood markers predict childhood mental health | Stanford News.” News, Stanford University, Web.