Between 1998 and 2000, researchers from Princeton and Columbia Universities began following the families of a cohort of children born in large US cities such as Detroit, New York, Austin, and Oakland (among many others). Members of these families have now been interviewed at birth, 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, and 22 years of age. The study has had various names for families participating including: “Survey of Parents and Children”, “Survey of Parents and Teens”, and “Survey of Parents and Families”.  It is the longest running national birth cohort study in the United States, giving a voice to millions of families about their experiences.

The Study of Adolescent to Adult Neural Development (SAND) is a follow-up of many families from this original study. The purpose of the study is to learn more about how childhood environments shape people’s brain development and behavior from adolescence into young adulthood.

By partnering with families since the birth of their child (and as those “children” who have become young adults), the SAND is able to understand child, teen, young adult, and family development in ways few other studies can. Each person participating in this study represents many other people and through their participation, they help represent the lives of many other people like them.

SAND is…

….about how the way our society is structured affects children and families and how various policies may help support or hinder positive development.

….about understanding how our brains develop and how differences in brain development might lead to different kinds of outcomes like mental illness, wellness, or academic and occupational success.

….about how adversity impacts our mental health and what factors in our families, neighborhoods, and environments help us cope with adversity and nurture resilience.