Welcome to the Wellness and Lifestyle Studies Page

About Wellness and Lifestyle

A child’s wellness can be impacted by many things; what they eat, how they play and exercise, who their friends are, how they study, and more. Because wellness can include elements of physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing, the whole of a child’s lifestyle matters. Some researchers look at the ways that diet, activity, and weight play a role in the way people relate and interact. Other studies might examine the relationship between stress and health, or they could focus on teenage alcohol or tobacco use. By addressing a wide range of potential concerns, research on wellness and lifestyles could provide children with healthy advice and habits that last a lifetime.

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Prolonged Grief Treatment Development Study - Parent

Are you the parent of a child 8-12 years old that has lost a parent to suicide? Are you or your child experiencing intense and persistent grief? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to develop a treatment for prolonged grief for families affected by suicide. Compensation is provided.

Anxiety

Depression

Other Mental Health and Behavior

Other Wellness and Lifestyle

And 1 more area

AGE: Parent of child 8-12

DURATION: 1 to 2 hours/focus group

VISITS: 1 or 2 focus groups

LOCATION: Zoom (online) or phone call

COMPENSATION: YES

REGISTRY

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

CARMA Registry - Child 4-17

Are you a parent of a child 4-17 and interested in behavioral health research studies? You may be eligible for a research registry that hopes to make it easy for busy families to participate in research, by identifying research studies that they may be eligible for and then providing a warm hand-off to studies that are of interest.

ADHD

Adolescent/Teen Health

Anxiety

Autism Spectrum Disorders

And 21 more areas

AGE: 4-17

DURATION: Indefinitely

VISITS: One session for consent

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: NONE

REAACH - Parent Focus

Are you a parent of a child or adolescent (ages 11-14) living in the Pittsburgh Metro or surrounding counties? You may be eligible for a research study to understand which factors and experiences support or undermine the physical, mental, and behavioral health of youth in our local communities. If you agree to participate in this study, you will join other parents for a group interview.

ADHD

Adolescent/Teen Health

Anxiety

Autism Spectrum Disorders

And 18 more areas

AGE: 11-14

DURATION: 90 minutes to two hours

VISITS: 1 focus group

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: YES

Juvenile Justice Sleep Study - Adolescents ages 13-17

Are you the parent of an adolescent that is currently involved in the juvenile justice system? Your child may be eligible to participate is a research study to learn about the sleep of adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system, and to understand how we can implement strategies for improving sleep in various system settings. Compensation is provided.

Other Adolescent/Teen Health

Other Sleep Disorders

Other Wellness and Lifestyle

AGE: 13-17

DURATION: 10 days

COMPENSATION: YES

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Sharing Opinions about Relationships (SOAR) Study

Are you the parent of a 14–17-year-old daughter that identifies as African American/Black? Your teen may be eligible for a research study to learn about Black female youths’ perceptions of and experiences with teen dating violence. Participation involves completing a survey, participate in a small focus group, or being interviewed by a member of our research team. Compensation provided.

Healthy Child

Other Adolescent/Teen Health

Other Wellness and Lifestyle

Remote Research

And 1 more area

AGE: 14-17

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

DURATION: 60 to 90 minutes/session

VISITS: 1 or 2 sessions

LOCATION: Online or in person

COMPENSATION: YES

DAYLight - Adolescents 12-17

Are you the parent of a 12-17 years old who is feeling down or depressed? Is your child right handed? Your child may be eligible to participate in a research study to test the effects of bright light on mood and circadian function. Compensation provided.

Depression

Healthy Child

Other Mental Health and Behavior

Stress Reduction

AGE: 12-17

DURATION: Two weeks

VISITS: 2 visits

LOCATION: Online, Western Psychiatric Hospital, and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland

COMPENSATION: YES

Project REST Study

Are you the parent of an 8-12 year old? Your child may be able to participate in a study to examine thoughts, sleep, and eating behaviors in children. This study involves a visit to determine eligibility and complete questionnaires/games, 2 fMRI scans, and an at-home period where participants will complete games and questionnaires through text and respond to phone calls. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: One month

VISITS: 4

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers & CMU-Pitt BRIDGE Center – Oakland

COMPENSATION: YES

DRIVE -Teens Currently Experiencing Depression

Are you the parent of a teen 16-17 years old? Has your teen been sad or unmotivated? You and your teen may be eligible to participate in a research study to understand the way depression develops in young people. Compensation is provided.

Depression

Other Wellness and Lifestyle

Social Interactions

Stress Reduction

AGE: 16-17

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: 3 visits

COMPENSATION: YES

BEaM Study - Child

Do you have a child 11-14? Does your child have a biological parent or full biological sibling who has ever experienced symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a study to compare the effects of a mindfulness intervention versus a health and wellness intervention on emotions & mood in children and adolescents with a family risk for mood disorder.

ADHD

Anxiety

Healthy Child

Other Adolescent/Teen Health

And 5 more areas

AGE: 11-14

DURATION: up to 13 months

VISITS: 1 virtual visit, >5 in-person visits

LOCATION: Online, Oakland and Shadyside

COMPENSATION: YES

Project THINK Study – Overweight Children

Are you the parent of a 9-12 year old who is overweight? Your child may be able to participate in a study to examine thoughts and eating behaviors in children who are overweight. As part of this study, your child will complete questionnaires, cognitive tasks, and an interview. Children may also undergo two fMRI scans. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: Up to 9

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers & CMU-Pitt BRIDGE Center – Oakland

COMPENSATION: YES

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Weight Management, Exercise, Diet, Stress Reduction, Other Wellness and Lifestyle