Research

Overview

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology Division has contributed a large body of research addressing key clinical, training and systemic challenges in youth mental health. Highlights include investigations into first-line behavioral interventions for preschoolers on Medicaid prior to pharmacologic treatment and a randomized trial examining light therapy to improve quality of life and depression in adolescents and young adults with cancer. 

Recent studies addressed health equity by identifying best practices for supporting child welfare–involved youth and improving psychiatry training on autism and intellectual disability. Other research examined neurodevelopmental predictors of substance use, social determinants in pediatric transplant outcomes and factors influencing ADHD severity. Additional work explored the national impact of media portrayals of suicide, parenting stress related to child irritability and ADHD and drivers of youth mental health readmissions.

As part of the University of Louisville School of Medicine Pediatric Research Institute and Norton Children's Research Institute, our faculty and fellows can access cutting-edge research resources with minimal administrative burdens. With over 200 clinical research professionals and 300+ active studies, including Phase 1-3 clinical trials, we are at the forefront of pediatric research and clinical advancements.