Why is this study being done?
Research has shown that adolescence is a critical period when exposure to alcohol and other drugs markedly increases risk for recurrent alcohol and drug use. Early life adversity and childhood trauma have been shown to increase risk for alcohol and drug use as well. Not only that, childhood trauma can lead to greater risk for relapse, as well as poor treatment response when compared to youth who have not experienced early life adversity.
We want to identify risk and protective factors for alcohol and drug use during adolescence to aid in the development of prevention and intervention programs that can assist youth who have experienced early life adversity.
What does this study involve?
This study includes 5 visits and takes about 7-11 hours total. These visits will take place every 6 months over a period of 2 years, and participants can receive up to $525 for participating as well as compensation for mileage to/from study visits.
- Visit 1 (4-5 hours): Teens and parents/guardians participate in interviews and questionnaires. Teens will also participate in some brief computer tasks/games and will be asked to provide a small blood sample by finger prick, a small hair sample, and a saliva sample. Families can earn up to $125 for this visit
- Visits 2, 3, and 4 (30 – 60 Minutes): These visits will take place 6 months, 12 months and 18 months after Visit 1. Teens and parents/guardians will repeat some of the interviews and questionnaires completed at Visit 1. These visits can be completed in person or online, and can earn up to $50 for each visit.
- Visit 5 (3-4 hours): This visit will take place 24 months (2 years) after Visit 1. Teens and parents/guardians will repeat some of the interviews and questionnaires completed at Visit 1. Teens will also repeat the same computer tasks/games as completed in Visit 1, and will be asked to provide the same biological samples (Blood, Saliva, Hair, and Urine).
Parents/guardians and teens will each receive a $75 bonus at Visit 5 upon completion all study assessments.
Are we eligible to participate?
You and your child may be eligible to participate in this study if your child is between 12 and 15 years of age, inclusive, and you both are willing to participate in repeated visits every 6 months for up to 2 years.
To find out if you are eligible to participate, please call or text us at (657) 235-2253 or email us at UCIEarlyLifeAdversityStudy@gmail.com.
Check out our recruitment flyer below, and share them with your friends!
