Youth Eating Study (YES!)
About the Study:
The Youth Eating Study (YES!) is a multi-phase research study about parents’ and children’s emotions, physical sensations, and eating behaviors and thoughts. This study could help us identify difficulties with anxiety and eating in children and adolescents. Eligible participants are biological mothers and their daughters, ages 6 to 8 or 10 to 12.
The study consists of 4 phases. The first phase will be questionnaires and daily assessments 3 times per day in 10 days, 3-5 minutes each. The second phase will be a 4-hour lab visit, including interviews, assessments, questionnaires, and behavioral tasks conducted in-person at the University of Louisville. One year after the lab visit, participants and their child will complete a few remote follow-up questionnaires. Two years after the lab visit, the participants and their child will visit the lab again for follow-up interviews and questionnaires.
Participants can be paid up to $630 in incentives/financial compensation for completing all four parts of the study.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I know if I qualify for this study?
- Biological mothers ages 18 and older
- Speak/read/write English fluently
- Biological children are females assigned at birth between the ages of 6 to 8 or 10 to 12
- Children do not have significant medical or developmental disabilities
- Children must be able to speak English and read/write as developmentally appropriate
- Have internet access to complete remote measures
- Live within a 150-mile radius of the University of Louisville and be able to travel to campus for two on campus visits (other phases are remote)
This study includes four phases across two years or more. Phases one and phase three will be remote. Phase two and phase four will take place in-person at the University of Louisville.
What will the study involve?
You will first complete a screening survey to determine your eligibility. If eligible, you will be contacted to complete an intake interview. You will then be instructed to download an app to complete a daily assessment 3 times per day in 10 days, and a set of questionnaires that measure your child’s emotions, thoughts, eating behaviors, and other aspects of their development.
Shortly after, you and your child will visit our laboratory at the University of Louisville. The lab visit will take a few hours. At the lab, you and your child will participate in some interviews and be asked to complete questionnaires that assess emotions, thoughts, and eating behaviors. Your child will participate in several behavioral activities and physiological measurement (e.g., heart rate, blushing).
One year after your lab visit, you and your children will fill out remote follow-up questionnaires online. Two years after your lab visit, you will be asked to visit the lab again for follow-up assessments. You will complete similar questionnaires and interviews as in your first lab visit.
What are the benefits of participation?
The information collected may not benefit you directly, but it may be helpful to others and assist in learning about the development of emotional and behavioral difficulties in children. You and your child can also receive up to $630 in incentives/financial compensation for completing the study!
Are there any risks associated with participating?
You may be asked about sensitive topics such as eating behaviors, anxiety, and physical sensations. You might also become distressed as you will address potentially sensitive content such as weight, body dissatisfaction, and social fears. During the lab visit, your child might experience temporary discomfort, fatigue, or brief distress. If needed, research staff can provide resources (e.g., information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, local crisis centers, and/or emergency rooms). Also, you and your child can end your participation at any point.
Will I be compensated for this study?
Participants will receive up to $630 in incentives/financial compensation for completing all four parts of the study. Specifically, you will receive up to $150 gift cards for complete the first phase (remote assessment), up to $240 in gift cards and prizes for kids for the second phase (laboratory visit), up to $40 in gift cards for the third phase (remote assessment), and up to $200 in gift cards for the fourth phase (laboratory visit).
Who can I contact for more information?
Anyone interested in participating in the Youth Eating Study (YES!) can email us at [email protected] or text or call us at (502)-442-2772.
