Youth Eating Study (YES!)

​About the Study:
​
The Youth Eating Study (YES!) is a multi-phase research study about parents’ and children’s emotions, physiological 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 - 8 or 10 - 12.

The study will proceed with a virtual intake interview with the biological mother. If eligible to continue participating, you will be invited to participate in the study. The study consists of 4 phases.

• Time 1: Questionnaires and daily check-ins 3 times per day (3-5 minutes each time) in 10 consecutive days
  
• Time 2: 4-hour lab visit includes interviews, assessments, questionnaires, and behavioral tasks conducted in-person at the University of Louisville.
  
• Time 3 (approximately 1 year after Time 2): Remote follow-up questionnaires.
  
• Time 4 (approximately 1 year after Time 3): Follow-up interviews and questionnaires.

Participants will receive up to $630 in incentives/financial compensation for completing study procedures at Time 1 through Time 4:

• Time 1 assessment: up to $130 in gift cards for completing questionnaires and daily check-ins (10 days):
  
  • Parent-reported questionnaires: $25
    
  • Co-Parent-reported questionnaires: $25
    
  • Parent-reported daily check-ins: up to $80, $2 per entry/$6 per day of completion up to 10 days (up to $60) plus $20 bonus for completing at least 80% of the entries (at least 24 entries)
• Time 2 assessments: up to $250 in incentives as follows:
  
  • Lab tasks: $65 gift card
    
  • Interview: up to $75 gift card ($50 for the initial interview/part 1; $25 if supplemental interview/part 2 is needed at the discretion of study staff)
    
  • Parent-report questionnaires: $45 gift card
    
  • Co-Parent-report questionnaires: $45 gift card
    
  • Youth participation: 6-8-year-old participants: $20 worth of age-appropriate gifts (e.g., toys); 10-12-year-old participants: $20 gift card
• Time 3 assessments: up to $55 in gift cards as follows:
  
  • Parent-reported Questionnaires: $40 gift card issued to parent
    
  • Youth-report questionnaire (for children older than 8): $15 gift card
    
• Time 4 assessments: up to $195 in gift cards as follows:
  
  • Parent-reported Questionnaires: $40
    
  • Co-Parent-reported Questionnaires: $40
    
  • Interview: $100 gift card issued to parent
    
  • Youth-report questionnaires: $15

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 - 8 or 10 - 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) 

Where does the study take place?
This study includes 4 time points. Time 2 will take place in-person in our lab space at the Belknap Campus, University of Louisville.

How long does the whole study take?
The total time of the study will be approximately 25 months.

• After screening and intake, you will answer daily check-ins for 10 days and complete T1 assessments. (approximately 1 month)
  
• Within approximately 1-2 months after Time 1 completion, you will come into the laboratory to complete Time 2 assessments. 
  
• One year after Time 2, you will be completing Time 3
  
• One year after Time 3, you will be completing Time 4

What will the lab visit involve?
Before the lab visit, you and your child will be asked to complete questionnaires that assess
emotions, thoughts, and eating behaviors. At the lab, you and your child will do interviews that
will ask about your eating habits, thoughts and feelings. Your child will also participate in
several behavioral and physical activities. Their physiological reactions will be measured during
lab activities (e.g., heart rate, blushing, breathing).

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.
Additionally, participants will receive up to $630 in incentives/financial compensation for
completing all four parts of the study.

Are there any risks associated with participating?
You may be asked about sensitive topics such as eating behaviors, anxiety, and depressed
feelings. 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.

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)-852-7164