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 24-45 (>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.

$250

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 will 1. 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 development 2. provide saliva samples by drooling into a tube (for the mother) or holding a cotton swab in their baby’s mouth to get it wet 3. fill out questionnaires about themselves and their baby 4. 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 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.

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 new program will help women who have recently been involved in the criminal justice system and use opioids (heroin, fentanyl, prescription pain medications nonmedically) to join treatment programs for opioid addiction. The program will also assist women in finding and getting access to the social services they may need and provide opioid response training. Half of the recruited participants will be randomly selected to be in a trauma support group for women with addiction issues. The program will also help women with common barriers to staying in treatment, such as childcare and transportation.

Participants will be connected to drug treatment programs that offer medications to stop or reduce drug use. Participants will be assigned a peer recovery specialist; these are women in long-term recovery who will help the enrolled women with transportation, childcare, and completing any tasks they may have due to criminal justice involvement or child welfare. Half of our participants will be assigned to a support group of other women in recovery. Participants will complete surveys at three time points and will be paid $50 each time. Participants will also be given overdose response training and take-home-naloxone.

$575

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.

Participants visit once, for about an hour. During that visit we will measure several body dimensions. Then the participant will evaluate a number of seating conditions for comfort and acceptability.

$20

This is a survey study that will examine factors that impact the quality of life for parental caregivers of an adult child with profound autism.

Participants will be asked to take a survey about their experiences caring for their autistic adult-child and questions about their well-being.

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

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

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

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 $150.

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

This study aims to understand the association between young adults' perceived parenting, intolerance of uncertainty, and trait anxiety. Participant will be asked to complete a questionnaire that aims to answer the environment and parenting beliefs around which they were brought up, and if they face stressors and anxieties associated with them. This is a correlational study

Over the past few decades, the social world of teens has been transformed by the use of digital technology. This study will examine associations between digital media use and emotions in adolescents' daily lives. Youth and their parent will complete questionnaires and semi-structured clinical interviews regarding the youth’s emotions, social experiences, and possible anxiety symptoms. For 10 consecutive days, youth will complete one computerized task once per day and four mini questionnaires via the Wear-It app on the youth's mobile device. Some youth will also participate in a lab visit that will last approximately two hours. Six months later, all youth will be asked to repeat one computerized task once per day and four mini questionnaires via the Wear-It App on the youth's mobile device. One year after enrollment, participants will complete final questionnaires, interviews, one computerized task once per day and four mini questionnaires via the Wear-It App on the youth's mobile device. Some youth will also participate in a lab visit that will last approximately two hours.

Over the past few decades, the social world of teens has been transformed by the use of digital technology. This study will examine associations between digital media use and emotions in adolescents' daily lives. Youth and their parent will complete questionnaires and semi-structured clinical interviews regarding the youth’s emotions, social experiences, and possible anxiety symptoms. For 10 consecutive days, youth will complete one computerized task once per day and four mini questionnaires via the Wear-It app on the youth's mobile device. Some youth will also participate in a lab visit that will last approximately two hours. Six months later, all youth will be asked to repeat one computerized task once per day and four mini questionnaires via the Wear-It App on the youth's mobile device. One year after enrollment, participants will complete final questionnaires, interviews, one computerized task once per day and four mini questionnaires via the Wear-It App on the youth's mobile device. Some youth will also participate in a lab visit that will last approximately two hours.

$495

The purpose of this study is to analyze the strengths, outcomes, adversity, and resilience, as indicated by self-reported experiences in college students who may or may not be childhood cancer survivors. We are asking college students aged 18-23 years attending 4 year universities in the United States to report on their childhood health experiences and their current mental, physical, and social well being during college using a confidential survey. We plan to recruit students who have or have not had a childhood history of cancer and will also ask questions about their demographic information and health habits.

The participants will be asked to complete a confidential online survey that will take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Participants are eligible to earn a $75 Amazon gift card through a random drawing that they can choose to enter after submitting their survey responses

This study uses virtual reality to investigate how sensory aspects of an environment influence eating behavior. Specifically, subjects will be immersed in a virtual outdoor café environment and consume a standardized meal while being exposed to either a pleasant or unpleasant smell. Total food intake and mood will be measured following each visit.

Answer initial screening and demographics questionnaires. Two in-person visits to the lab to experience a VR setting and consume a provided meal. One visit will include a small hair sample. Answer questionnaires following the VR experience.

$20 in pre-paid gift card

This study will look for emerging patterns of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), an early onset dementia, in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME). JME is a type of epilepsy that usually begins in adolescence and is known to be associated with disturbances of higher-level reasoning, mood and personality. JME patients are often managed by family physicians, rather than epilepsy specialists; with little known about aging with JME. We think that JME patients will demonstrate a pattern of executive dysfunction that is consistent with consensus criteria for FTLD, characterized by declines in abstract reasoning, judgment, and verbal problem solving, as well as behavior. We also think that there will be an inverse relationship between apathy and conscientiousness. We plan to obtain this information by formal cognitive testing of non-demented JME patients over a period of 2 years, at 6-month intervals, to look for progression of symptoms. Loved ones/caregivers will complete informant questionnaires about patient's mood and personality at the beginning of the study and at 6 month intervals throughout the duration of the 24 month study. We will also include loved one/caregiver cognitive testing at the beginning of the study to obtain healthy information for comparison to patient's findings. Our objectives are to characterize the executive functioning profiles of JME in midlife, taking into account cognition, mood, personality, nutritional status and lifestyle. The information obtained may contribute to better care of JME patients prior to midlife and throughout the course of aging.

Visit 1 for both patient and healthy caregiver participants will involve administration of the JME Virtual Visit Protocol via PSH Zoom. Participants will have completed their REDCap questionnaires prior to the visit to the research coordinator, who will be conducting the assessment. Visit 2-5 for patient participants will involve administration of the JME Virtual Visit Protocol via PSH Zoom. JME participation consists of 5 virtual visits with the study’s research coordinator, lasting approximately two hours each, for completion of standardized tests of problem-solving, thinking, and concentration, as defined above. Caregiver healthy control participation consists of 1 virtual visit with the study’s research coordinator, lasting approximately two hours, for completion of standardized tests of problem-solving, thinking, and concentration, as defined above. Remaining participation involves completion of objective inventories providing a caregiver perspective of the patient participant’s mood and behavior at 6-month intervals, within the 24 month time frame of the study.

Anxiety can emerge as early as pre-school age (4-7) and is often linked to anxiety in the parent. This study will examine patterns of brain and behavioral synchrony in parent-child pairs as they complete puzzles together and other social activities.

Participation requires three steps; a remote video session with the primary parent, an in-lab visit scheduled with the primary parent and child, and then an additional set of questionnaires given to the secondary caregiver. The remote session consists of obtaining consent, 2 questionnaires, and a clinical interview. The in-lab visit typically lasts about 2-3 hours, consisting of two parent-child activities and several child-only activities. Participants will be asked to wear mobile eye-tracking glasses and special caps used to measures brain activity during some of the tasks.

$125, $100 for the primary parent/or child and $25 for secondary parent

This is a questionnaire study that seeks to discover the prevalence of food insecurity at PSU's University Park campus over the course of a semester and the relationship between long-term food insecurity and academic outcomes, as mediated by mental health and sleep outcomes.

Opioid-related overdose deaths and incarceration rates have skyrocketed and have disproportionately affected women. Despite having a higher burden of substance use disorders and HIV/AIDS than criminal justice-involved (CJI) men, CJI women are less likely to have access to substance use and HIV treatment. This qualitative study will conduct in-depth interviews with CJI women, MAT providers, and criminal justice professionals to identify facilitators and barriers to illicit opioid use cessation and related issues among CJI women.

The purpose of the study is to examine how individuals change over time and what impacts their development. In particular, we are interested in mental health outcomes in young adulthood. Participants will be required to complete a survey one time that will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Participants will be eligible to win a $10.00 amazon gift card.