HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY
University of Georgia
Help us understand how children's experiences across the transition to middle or high school are linked to parent's physical health​
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Am I Eligible?​
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5th or 8th grade public school student
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Moving to assigned middle or high school
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Stable resident of the area
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Able to visit the lab at UGA for 3 visits over the span of 18 months
Benefits​
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Blood test results (parents only)
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Contributing to a greater understanding of how parent-children life experiences impact stress and health
What's a Visit Like?​
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Answer questions about friends, family, and yourself
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Have physical measurements taken
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Participate in a videotaped conversation about school
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Answer a few simple questions about your day each evening for two weeks following two of your lab visits
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Parents Only
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Complete a blood draw
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Wear an activity tracking watch for one week following each lab visit
Scan or click to access the interest form below!
Frequently asked questions
Our blood contains valuable information about how our bodies are functioning. We are looking to see if there are any indicators that predict good health or give us insight into the development of chronic conditions. We are not looking at your DNA or genetics.
We will collect three small tubes of blood from you (the parent/guardian), which is about 4 teaspoons in total. One tube will be used to measure inflammation, another for pre-diabetes and hemoglobin A1C levels (a marker of average blood sugar levels over the past three months), and a third tube will be used to measure cholesterol and triglycerides. These tests are routinely ordered by your doctor during a regular check-up. We will provide the test results to you after we receive your lab work.
Your information is confidential and will not be shared with others outside the research team.* Participants are assigned a random code number, and the information you provide during your study visits will be stored with that code, not your name. We carefully follow guidelines to make sure that your information is kept private. When we analyze data, we look at the sample as a whole and never at individual participant responses.
Your survey responses will be kept on password protected computers, and your blood will be stored in a locked laboratory. This information and your blood will be stored with your code number, not your name. The only people with access to identifiable information are the individuals who are part of our study team. This information is not shared with any other agencies or study teams on campus.
*There are two exceptions to this confidentiality assurance: 1. if someone discloses that they are planning to hurt themself or someone else. 2. If we have reasonable cause to believe that child abuse has occurred.
For participating in each in-person visit, you will receive $50, $10 for transportation, and your child will receive $40 for participating. You and your child can each earn up to $50 for completing the two-week daily diaries after each lab visit. You and your child will each receive $25 for completing the remote survey in April. If you and your child complete 80% of the daily diaries and all the in-person study visits, you will each receive $25 bonuses at the end of the study. The total possible compensation for you and your child is $600 for your participation in this study.
Payments will be distributed via ClinCards, which are virtual, reloadable pre-paid Visa-branded cards. We will send you the card via email and funds will be added to your card following completion of each study procedure. You may use this card online, at any store that accepts VISA, or transfer the balance to your bank account. We will provide you with an information sheet about the ways you can use the card. Â