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Managing Everyday Emotions Together (MEET)

Managing Everyday Emotions Together (MEET)

Funded by: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Principal Investigator: Jessie B. Northrup, PhD

Status: Active, enrolling

What is the study about?

This study is focused on how parents and children manage everyday emotional challenges with a focus on children with autism. We hope this study will help us understand the challenges that parents and their children face managing big emotions.

Am I right for the study?
  • We are recruiting parents with children ages 3 or 4 with or without an autism diagnosis.
  • Families must live within about a one-hour drive from Oakland in Pittsburgh.
What would I do in the study?
  • You would complete online questionnaires and interviews, a visit to the lab, and  we would come for a visit to your home. 
  • The online questionnaires and interviews will be completed again one year after the initial visits. 
  • In your home, you and your child will play with fun toys and engage in some tasks that are similar to everyday challenges for young children (e.g., having to clean up fun toys). Parent and child will wear a band around their wrist or ankle and sensors (small stickers) that measure physiological reactions during the tasks. 
Will I be paid?

Yes. You will be compensated for your participation in this study and reimbursed parking expenses.

Will my information be kept private?

The data we collect from study participants are secure and private. This means that we do not have your name written anywhere on the data. We use a random number. So, instead of having data, for example, that is called “John Smith interview”, it might be called “#101 interview”.  

  • The file that links your name to the data is stored separately and not shared. 
  • We do not collect data from your medical records.  We do not have access to your medical records.  
  • We are not putting data or diagnoses into your medical records.  
  • Your name, address, and other information that can identify who you is not shared with the government or any other funder or collaborator.  

    How do I find out more?

    If you are interested in learning more about the study, please complete this form, and a member of our staff will contact you. 

    Contact the Project Coordinator, August Saunders, at saunderso@upmc.edu