Mental Health Research Study
Researchers at the University of Maryland are examining how social support, sleep, and daily experiences impact mental health.
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with a mental illness
Ages 18-60
Compensation Provided
Conducted in
College Park, MD
Study Background
Many people living with a serious mental illness with psychosis experience the feeling that they are in harm’s way and likely to be hurt by others, even in situations in which harm is very unlikely to occur.
The purpose of this study is to understand how social support, sleep, and daily experiences impact these feelings of harm, as well as the lives of people living with a serious mental illness with psychosis. With the data we collect, we hope to learn more about how symptoms develop, and how they impact people’s lives.
While there are no direct benefits, we hope that study participation will better inform the development of treatments. Participants may be paid up to $255, and transportation is provided if needed.
Study Background
Many people living with a serious mental illness with psychosis experience the feeling that they are in harm’s way and likely to be hurt by others, even in situations in which harm is very unlikely to occur.
The purpose of this study is to understand how social support, sleep, and daily experiences impact these feelings of harm, as well as the lives of people living with a serious mental illness with psychosis. With the data we collect, we hope to learn more about how symptoms develop, and how they impact people’s lives.
While there are no direct benefits, we hope that study participation will better inform the development of treatments. Participants may be paid up to $255, and transportation is provided if needed.
Additional Information
This study aims to evaluate the neurological, social, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to symptoms in people with a mental illness with psychosis to inform the future research and treatment of mental health disorders.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18-60
- Diagnosed with a mental illness with psychosis (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder/bipolar disorder with psychotic features)
- Willing to travel to College Park, MD (transportation provided if needed)
- Willing and able to undergo MRI (no metal in the body, no claustrophobia)
- No known neurological conditions (including stroke, brain tumor, epilepsy, or head injury with loss of consciousness)
- No substance or alcohol use disorder
- No diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability such as autism
This study involves two visits:
Visit 1: During Visit 1, you will be asked to complete interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive tasks. This visit takes about 2-3 hours.
Visit 2: This visit will occur about one week after Visit 1 at the Maryland Neuroimaging Center (MNC) at the University of Maryland, College Park. During Visit 2, you will be asked to complete more questionnaires and a series of brain scans called an MRI. This visit should take about 3-4 hours.
In between these visits, you will be asked to do the following:
- Wear a watch-like activity monitor to determine your sleep/wake schedule and record activity levels.
- Answer short surveys on a smartphone that the research team will provide about who you are with and how you are feeling. Surveys should take about 5 minutes each.
Participants may qualify for payment up to $255.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
