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Research Projects
Would you like to help us learn more about families like yours and how to help them thrive? The projects listed below are looking for people to help. Look through the project descriptions to see if you or your family members may be eligible. You can also reach out to Heidi at (574) 631-0952 or hmiller1@nd.edu.
Child and Family Therapy Clinic
To learn more about the Department of Psychology's clinical services offered at the Shaw Center, call (574) 631-0954 or visit the Child and Family Therapy page.
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The SPARC Project (Supporting Parent-Adolescent Relationships and Communication)
Who Participates?
Families that include fathers and mothers who are living together in the same home with a typically developing child (between 10 and 18 years old) and a child of any age who has been diagnosed with any type of intellectual or developmental disability.What's Involved
Participating families will be invited to visit one of our centers several times over the course of one year. Families could earn up to $370 for their participation over the course of one year, and free childcare is provided at all visits by team members who are trained to work with individuals with IDD.
Contact
- South Bend
- 574-631-6009
- ndsparc@nd.edu
- Fort Wayne
- 574-631-6009
- ndsparc@nd.edu
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Notre Dame Families & Babies Study (ND-FABS)
Who Participates?
Mothers and fathers of infants (6-months or younger) who are currently living together.What's Involved
Four center visits where we video record parents and infants interacting with each other. Families are also randomly assigned to one of four groups in which they receive 4-8 phone calls and/or home visits.
Contact
- South Bend
- 574-631-0950
- nfabs@nd.edu
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The Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program
Who Participates?
Women are eligible to participate if they: 1) Are currently pregnant (between 10-30 weeks); 2) Are 16 years of age or older; 3) Have experienced conflict with a partner in the past 12 months; AND 4) Are fluent in English.What's Involved
Participants complete 4 interviews over the course of their time in the study, two during pregnancy and 2 postpartum (3.5 months and 1-year). Each interview lasts between 1.5 and 3.5 hours. All of the women in the study will also participate in a 5 session support group program. Participants receive $30-$50 in compensation for each completed study interview, and women attending group sessions receive an infant care item plus 2 BABE Store coupons at each session. Transportation and childcare are provided at no cost.
Contact
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FAMJAM (Families Joining Around Memories: A Study of Communication and Development)
Who Participates?
We are looking for families with two parents who live together and a child between the ages of 3 and 5What's Involved
Families will come to the Center for a 2 hour visit during which parents will participate in a number of activities with each other and with their child, including family play, problem solving, and reminiscing about past experiences. Children will also participate in a number of games while parents fill out some questionnaires. You will be compensated with a $40 Visa gift card for your time and your child will receive a small toy.
Contact
- South Bend
- famjamstudy@gmail.com
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Food for Families
Who Participates?
Parents of children who have received food from Cultivate in St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall counties.What's Involved
Parents will be asked to complete an online survey.
Contact
- South Bend
- (574) 631-8595
- jburke2@nd.edu
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Seguimos Avanzando
Who Participates?
Mexican-origin adolescents ages 12-15 (6th-9th grades), their mothers, and fathers.What's Involved
Who can participate?
Families who have an adolescent, age 12-15 years old, of Mexican descent in both parental figures, who assents to study participation.- The adolescent must have two eligible caregivers who consent to study participation.
- The adolescent resides with at least one of the two caregivers.
Caregiver requirements:
- Biological Parents of Mexican origin
- Legal guardians of Mexican origin
- Step-parents of Mexican origin
- A caregiver of Mexican origin identified by the parent/guardian who is 18 or older (e.g., grandparents, uncles/aunts, older siblings, godparents
Estimated Time Commitment
- For youths: 1 hour per year for 3 years; a 5-minute daily dairy for 21 days in the first year
- For caregivers: 1-1.5 hours per year for 3 years
Contact
- South Bend
- 574-631-1570
- mvasoli@nd.edu
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The Happy Family Project
Who Participates?
Eligible families include two adults who communicate regularly and share caregiving responsibilities for a participating child between 4 and 17 years old.What's Involved
Participants will answer online survey questions, participate in Zoom visits with members of the project team, and receive information to review on their own. Participation occurs over the course of one year, with the majority of active participation occurring over the course of approximately four weeks, followed by one session occurring 12 months later.
Contact
- South Bend
- happyfam@nd.edu
- Fort Wayne
- happyfam@nd.edu