The proposed overall research aims to establish feasibility of delivering an individually-tailored, behavioral intervention to manage gestational weight gain [GWG] that adapts to the unique needs and challenges of overweight/obese pregnant women [OW/OB-PW] and will utilize control systems engineering to optimize this intervention; in other words, make this intervention manage GWG in OW/OB-PW as effectively and efficiently as possible.

You will be randomized into an intervention or attention control group from ~8 weeks gestation to ~37 weeks gestation with a BMI of 25-45 (>40 with physician consent).You will have 1 pre-intervention session that explains the study procedures and to get you ready for the study. Here you will also complete various measures of demographics, behavioral surveys, etc.Over the course of the study, you will weigh yourself each day, wear an activity monitor and complete various surveys. If you are randomized to the intervention group, you may have healthy eating demonstrations and/or physical activity sessions each week.You will have 1 post-intervention session where you will return your devices, complete a 30-60 minute interview and complete the last of the surveys.

$175

The goal of this research is to confirm the relationships between virtual self-discrepancy, character attachment, view of self, attachment styles, and the potential for a moderating variable within the relationships as a starting point for future research tying in player/character relationship and gaming addiction.

The study is recruiting older adults of age 60 or older in rural Central Pennsylvania to track their food insecurity, diet, mood, stress and cognitive functions in two seasonal months in the winter and in the summer. Each day, participants will use a provided survey phone to answer the survey questions on food situations, mood and stress (20-30 mins) and diet (10 - 30 mins). Participants will also be asked to complete the short cognitive assessments (<3 mins) on smart phones. Following the social distancing guideline during COVID-19 pandemic, remote virtual training will be provided via Zoom and device pick-up and return will be via USPS services. All data collection will take place at participant's home. Up to $400 study compensation in check will be provided.

There will be up to two in-person trainings. Participants will be provided a smartphone for data collection. Each data collection period last for a month. There are up to two months of data collection periods. All data collection will take place at participants' home using the provided smartphone.

Up to $400

The goal of this study is to understand how babies and their mothers learn to respond to stress during the early years of the baby's life. Participating women complete questionnaires and do a mildly stressful task alone (during pregnancy) or with their babies (at four different times over the first two years of the baby's life) and collect saliva samples that tell us about stress responses, either at home or at one of our lab sites. We aim to use what we learn to better support expecting parents who may be at risk for stress-related health problems and improve their children's resilience to stress throughout life.

Women are asked to participate in six sessions over Zoom and/or at the PACT Center between their 28th week of pregnancy and when their child is 2 years old. During these sessions, which last up to 2 hours each, mothers and babies will1.participate in mildly stressful tasks (like having the mother leave the room for up to 3 minutes and then return) and games to assess the baby’s emotional and cognitive development2.provide saliva samples by drooling into a tube (for the mother) or holding a cotton swab in their baby’s mouth to get it wet3.fill out questionnaires about themselves and their baby4.take part in clinical interviews that ask about mood and other markers of psychological ill-being

$220

Adolescence is a critical period during which many important healthhttps://irb.psu.edu/IRB/sd/ResourceAdministration/Project/ProjectEditor?Project=com.webridge.entity.Entity[OID[058ACDEB3E43384D816C7E390C2B83F6]]&Mode=smartform&WizardPageOID=com.webridge.entity.Entity[OID[E4552FC57E491543A6B7FD8268E23FD7]] habits form in humans. However, animal models provide mixed information about habit formation across development and there are relatively few human studies that address differences between habit formation in adolescents and adults. To address this gap, the proposed study will assess differences in habit formation in adolescents and adults as measured by the "Slips of Action" task, which seeks to discriminate between habitual and goal-directed learning of visual stimuli pairings.

There will be one in-person visit lasting about one hour. Visits will begin with informed consent. Participants will complete a computer task where they are asked to learn associations between pictures and then will be tested on the associated pairings. They will also complete questionnaires and cognitive tasks.

$20

This is a social sciences study to analyze the effect of menstrual cup introduction through the "CampusCup" free menstrual cup distribution program on the tendency of college students to perpetuate period stigma. A survey will be conducted across samples of students who participated in the CampusCup program, students who use menstrual cups independent of the CampusCup program, and students who have never used menstrual cups. The survey will address motivations behind menstrual cup usage and personal attitudes towards periods. The study seeks to investigate relationships between menstrual cup usage & CampusCup participation and impacts on community attitudes towards menstruation.

This study aims to examine the effect of pedaling a compact elliptical device at the desk on employees' work productivity. This study also aims to evaluate the effect of different types of incentives on promoting desk-based pedaling.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the underlying biological causes of the loss of pleasure in individuals diagnosed with depression. This study will examine brain, behavioral, and inflammatory markers of depression. Participants will answer questions, give blood and saliva, undergo fMRI and perform computer tasks. The study is also recruiting healthy controls with no history of major mental illnesses.Participants will be compensated $130 in total. To limit time in-person, the first portion of the study will be conducted remotely (1.5hrs), followed by an in-person appointment (3hrs). Mandatory COVID-19 precautions will be taken to ensure safety for the in-person appointment.

There will be one virtual visit where participants will review consent, answer questions about their mental health, and complete online questionnaires. There will also be one in-person visit where blood will be drawn, vitals (blood pressure, height, weight, and pulse) will be taken, participants will undergo an fMRI scan and complete computer tasks, and saliva samples will be collected at 3 time points.

$130

A carbon label displays the carbon footprint of the product (a number, e.g., 1.18 kg CO2) and helps consumers understand the impact of the product on the environment. The purpose of this study is to understand Penn State students’ preferred method of carbon labeling for a senior thesis. The study will be conducted via a survey that takes less than 5 minutes and requires no personal identifying information.

The participants will complete one survey that takes less than 5 minutes to complete. The survey can be taken on a personal device or a Penn State computer.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether and how people's perceptions of the power in their romantic relationships shape the messages they use to seek support from their romantic partners.

Through in-depth interviews, we examine how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the daily lives and mental well-being of essential workers, as well as their use of social media.

The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between aircraft seat width and passenger comfort. Airlines are reducing the sizes of seats and improving their ability to fly planes at or near capacity. The combined effect is to decrease the quality of the experience of passengers. This work will help us to understand the degree to which comfort has been reduced.

This is a study which examines whether priming for fear can influence affective empathy in persons high in psychopathic traits.

This study will provide a strong basis and foundation for future clinical trials that use historical controls. The study will collect clinical data and biological specimens to create a dataset and biorepository to be shared with other researchers as a foundation for future clinical trials.

This is a volunteer study for participants diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) or suspected to have PLS by a neurologist. You will be expected to attend scheduled visits in person or by telephone, complete study testing and audio/video recordings. The study includes clinical measurements to assess disease status and motor function, a number of questionnaires, collection of biospecimens including DNA, blood, and urine, and an electromyography (EMG) test. There will be 6 visits over 24 months, of these 6 three will be in-person visits (2-3 hours) and the other three will be telephone calls (lasting about 45 minutes to an hour). Blood and urine samples will be collected during these visits.

$100 per in person visit (three) and $50 for telephone visit (three) completed.

This is a study on internet-based self-help for stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. College and university students who screen high on perceived stress or measures of risk for anxiety, depression, or eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic will be invited to participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive access to an internet-based self-help program for stress resilience and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic or care as usual. Symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, as well as secondary outcomes, will be assessed via questionnaire at baseline (pre-randomization), one month post-randomization, and three months post-randomization.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive access to an internet-based self-help program for stress resilience and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic or care as usual. Symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, as well as secondary outcomes, will be assessed via questionnaire at baseline (pre-randomization), one month post-randomization, and three months post-randomization.

Up to $50 (raffle-based)

The main purpose of the proposed study is to examine the relationship between emotional body expression and internal emotional and psychophysiological processes among individuals with mental disorders in social interaction situations.

In this study, participants will be asked to answer structured questions. After this, participants will be asked to engage in emotional induction tasks, communicate with another person, and walk. During the interview and experimental procedures, your motion will be video recorded. 

40

This study uses specific computer tasks to predict irritability in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as the effect of ADHD medication (stimulants) on irritability symptoms in children with ADHD. Children ages between the ages of 5 and 12 years are eligible and must have an established diagnosis of ADHD or suspected symptoms of ADHD.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the associations between depressive symptoms and inflammation. The researchers are studying how specific symptoms of depression (such as fatigue, sadness, impaired concentration, and loss of pleasure) are related to markers of inflammation, which is a key component of our immune system. Volunteers with depressive symptoms, as well as volunteers without depressive symptoms are needed for this research study. This study includes an online survey to determine eligibility and one in-lab visit. Participants who are eligible will be scheduled for one in-lab visit (2.5-3h for participants with depressive symptoms & 1-2h for participants without depressive symptoms), where they will be asked to answer surveys with questions related to depressive symptoms and complete a number of tasks (using an iPad and a touch screen phone) that measure thinking skills including attention, memory and reaction time. Participants will also undergo a single blood draw to assess inflammatory markers.

Participation will require one in person visit at the CRC that takes from 1 to 1.5 hours total where they will have their blood drawn, fill out surveys about their mood, and complete cognitive tests.

30

The project focuses on gathering initial evidence about the opportunities and challenges of designing tailored financial technology (fintech) to support the care partners of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementia (ADRD) to help them with collaborative and longitudinal financial management. To accomplish this goal, we will conduct 20 min survey study and optional follow-up interview activities with care partners.

We are recruiting care partners of individuals living with Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias. There will be two phases in the study. The first phase is a 20-min survey that will ask participants about their financial management behavior. The second phase is optional, and it is a 40-min follow-up interview with similar questions.

For the first phase, each participant may choose to enter a drawing for a chance to win a $50 Amazon eGift card. For the second phase, each participant will receive a $30 Amazon eGift card for their time.

An intervention using an internet-based platform for coping and mood difficulties. Participants will be able to use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) based online self-help modules over the course of a 10-week program.

Participants will engage with online materials on a weekly basis for 10 weeks.

$25

This study will use interviews to explore to explore perceptions of rurality, physical activity behaviors and physical activity intervention preferences among rural older adults who live in Pennsylvania

This is a research study investigating the prevalence and manifestation of unhealthy eating behaviors and the relationships of energetic status, cognitive function, and reproductive health in a population of first year college students.

Phase 1 will involve a minimum of 1-2 visits, and completion of surveys about your general health, exercise and nutrition history, eating behaviors and attitudes, stress, and reproductive health, as well as cognitive testing and hair sampling. For those who qualify, Phase 2 will involve approximately 4 additional visits. Each visit will be about 2 hours. The visits include completion of surveys about general health, exercise and nutrition history, eating behaviors and attitudes, stress, and reproductive health, as well as cognitive testing and physiological measurements including blood and hair sampling, and tests of metabolism. Study participation will last at minimum about 1 week, and at maximum completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 will occur over the course of a full academic year.

$25 per visit, up to $75

Substance misuse is a leading national problem, with young adults at high risk. We aim to develop a university resource that elucidates biobehavioral underpinnings of problematic student substance use at University Park campus. This initiative would inform services needed, provide engaged learning opportunities, connect with faculty, and catalyze high-impact, interdisciplinary research. In addition to this primary rationale, this study will allow us to capture detailed information about other critical student experiences such as food and housing insecurity, experiences of discrimination, and daily health practices to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Participants will be asked to take a baseline survey followed by a 21- daily diary protocol (brief 5 minute survey each day for 21 days. For more information or to register interest in participating please see: https://projectself.psu.edu/register-your-interest/

This research aims to study the training knowledge that is essential for drivers to use Advanced Driving Assistant Systems safely and properly and identify the optimal training approaches.

If you participate in the first experiment, you will receive training of the in-vehicle system via videos and manuals, complete a driving task on the driving simulator, and answer questions from questionnaires. If you participate in the second experiment, there will be two visits. In the first visit, you will receive training via watching and interacting with online videos, watching an experimenter operating ADAS at the test track, or practicing the functions of ADAS in a vehicle at the test track. The functions in the training include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and Highway Driving Assist. In the second visit, you will complete a driving task on the driving simulator and answer questions from questionnaires.

$30 for experiment1 and $60 for experiment 2

The purpose of this study is to expand on previous research looking at respect and relationship satisfaction among heterosexual relationships and compare it to that of same-sex relationships to find where they are similar or different. Participants will complete self-report measures regarding their romantic relationships, including respect toward partner, satisfaction, and attitudes toward love. 30 minutes will be required for the study.

This study aims to assess the relations among our daily thought patterns, positive emotions, everyday experiences, and cognitive functioning abilities. Eligible participants will complete a series of online questionnaires, a short 15- to 25-minute psychological interview, and brief cognitive functioning tests at Day 1 and Day 16. All visits will occur via Zoom. In between study visits on Day 1 and Day 16, they will be prompted to complete smartphone-delivered assessments of cognitive functioning, symptoms, and experiences for 14 days, 5 times a day. This is important to inform clinicians and researchers on how best to develop effective digital mental health therapies.

During Day 1, participants will undergo a brief 15- to 25-minute clinical interview over Zoom. After the clinical interview, if participants meet the study eligibility criteria, we will continue with the procedures outlined below. Otherwise, if they are ineligible for the study, we will mention that this study is not suitable for them and provide the contact of mental health treatment services. Eligible participants will then conduct a series of self-report questionnaires and performance-based cognitive functioning tests for the next 35 minutes. Participants will then complete a series of 14-day brief ecological momentary assessments administered on their smartphone five times a day, for 14 days. Last, participants will return for a 35- to 45-minute visit on Day 15 to complete a series of self-report questionnaires and performance-based cognitive functioning tests.

15

Children with attention problems often feel anxious or worried, and likewise, children who are anxious or worried often have problems with attention. We are looking for children aged 8-12 who may or may not have problems with attention or anxiety to help us understand what happens in the brain that could explain why. You will receive up to $100 gift card for your participation, and informal clinical feedback on your child.

Two in person visits of 2 hours each to the University Park campus, scheduled at the participant(s) convenience

$100

This is a driving simulator behavioral study. This study aims to investigate drivers' subjective feelings and driving performance in mixed traffic shared by automated vehicles and human-driven vehicles.

This study aims to investigate the effects of drivers’ driving style and automated vehicle penetration rate on drivers’ subjective feelings and driving performance in mixed traffic shared by automated vehicles and human-driven vehicles. There will be one in-person visit for the experiment. This experiment involves driving on a driving simulator and filling out several questionnaires.

$15/hour

This research is being done to better understand how certain parts of the brain may react differently in people who have a particular eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, which may help us understand why they respond to food in the way they do. This may help us design more effective treatments for people with anorexia nervosa.

You will complete a package of surveys for personality, psychopathology, an evaluation of taste functions, and an MRI/fMRI examination.

Up to a total of $100.

This study tests the effect of an audio-based mental health intervention for symptoms of depression. Participants will be asked to listen to an audio program and perform exercises to support their mental health as suggested by the program. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires about their depression and related mental health symptoms at pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up.

The study takes place over five total weeks, with four survey sessions (the first two of which are live on Zoom), and two weeks of brief daily surveys. Detailed information is below.For the first day, participants would be asked to complete Visit 1, which involves an interview, listening to a mental health audio program, and completing surveys. One week later, participants would be asked to complete Visit 2, which involves listening to another mental health audio program and completing surveys. One week after that, participants would be asked to complete Visit 3, which involves completing surveys. Three weeks after that, participants would be asked to complete Visit 4, which involves completing surveys. For the week following Visits 1 and 2, participants would also be asked to complete daily surveys.

Up to $40