The Friends Study
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are conducting a study in children ages 7-9 to learn more about how mothers’ mental health is related to social relationships in their children.
Fast Facts
Child Has a Close Friend to Participate With
Mother of a Child Ages 7-9
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Pittsburgh, PA
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are conducting a study in children ages 7-9 to learn more about how mothers’ mental health is related to social relationships in their children.
Children’s social relationships and interactions are closely related to their mental health. By the time children start school, they typically develop close friendships, which can be critical for their well-being. We want to better understand how these factors may predict mental health outcomes in children to identify problems earlier in life by observing how children interact and play with their close friends.
We hope that the findings of this study may be useful to prevent mental health problems from emerging in children, as well as improving our general understanding of intergenerational mental health.
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are conducting a study in children ages 7-9 to learn more about how mothers’ mental health is related to social relationships in their children.
Children’s social relationships and interactions are closely related to their mental health. By the time children start school, they typically develop close friendships, which can be critical for their well-being. We want to better understand how these factors may predict mental health outcomes in children to identify problems earlier in life by observing how children interact and play with their close friends.
We hope that the findings of this study may be useful to prevent mental health problems from emerging in children, as well as improving our general understanding of intergenerational mental health.
Additional Information
In this research study, we are trying to understand how social skills in children ages 7-9 are related to mothers’ mental health. We are doing this by observing social interactions between children and their closest friends.
You may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Mother of a child ages 7-9
- Have not lived apart from child for more than one month
- Child has a close friend of a similar age who would be willing to participate with your child
Your child and their close friend will come to the office together for a 2–3-hour visit. The two children will complete a series of videotaped interactions (games, challenges) together while we measure their physiology.
Mothers of each child will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires and an interview about their child and their own mental health.
Six months after the first visit, study staff will follow-up with each child and mom separately to have them complete a set of questionnaires online.
Yes, participants will be compensated for each part of the study ($140 total).
- Baseline visit: $90 for each family
- 6-month (virtual) follow-up: $50 for each family
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
