Aleeca Bell

Interests

Research

My clinical experience as a Certified Nurse Midwife drives my bio-behavioral research questions. My program of research strives to improve the wellbeing of mothers and infants by promoting physiologic birth, a positive birth experience, healthy mother-infant interaction, and an increased understanding of underlying biologic mechanisms. The oxytocin system is a biological metaphor for feeling safe and cared for; and can be a target of innovative interventions and evidence-based practice to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable women and infants in the perinatal period. I am currently funded with an R01 grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research to conduct a four-year randomized clinical trial targeting mothers with a history of childhood adversity to promote mother-infant synchrony. Synchrony is when the actions of one affects the actions of the other in a coordinated manner that is mutually rewarding, and promotes bonding and infant development. To improve synchrony, we are testing a low cost, early life, multisensory behavioral intervention that is easy for mothers to learn and apply with their infant. We are also determining whether the intervention improves epigenetic regulation of the oxytocin system, since oxytocin function facilitates engaged social interaction (e.g., bonding, empathy, positive affect) and is highly susceptible to early life adversity. Future studies will investigate 1) the implementation of clinicians teaching the intervention to mothers at multiple sites, and 2) expanding the intervention to additional vulnerable populations, such as women with depression or who suffered a traumatic birth experience.

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Grisham, L. M., Rankin, L., Maurer, J. A., Gephart, S. M., & Bell, A. F. (2023). Scoping Review of Biological and Behavioral Effects of Babywearing on Mothers and Infants. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN, 52(3), 191-201.
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  To synthesize the evidence on the biological and behavioral effects of babywearing on mothers and infants.
• Weinstein, S. R., Erickson, E. N., Molina, R., & Bell, A. F. (2023). Maternal outcomes related to Genetic and epigenetic Variation in the oxytocin system: A scoping review. Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology, 16, 100209.
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  In this scoping review, we synthesize the literature on oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genetic and epigenetic variation in relationship to breastfeeding, maternal caregiving behavior, and maternal mental health.