Participate in Research

Currently Recruiting Studies

Thank you for considering participation in one of our current research studies. We need your help! Our world renowned team of child and adolescent psychiatry researchers continually brings new and exceptional innovations to mental health care. This is only possible by participation and support from children, adolescents, families, and individuals such as you! If you have any questions about a study, please feel free to reach out to the contact listed within each study link.

We are grateful for your time and consideration to advance kids mental health!

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Emotional Development

If you have a son or daughter between the ages of 10-16, he or she may qualify for a research study at the UW Department of Psychiatry. This study will examine brain function and other biological changes in healthy youth, as well as youth with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Some participants may also have a history of trauma. We are looking for 10-16-year-olds and their parent/s or guardian/s to participate in this research. Study activities include a clinical interview, MRI brain scan, questionnaires, and biological samples. This study does not involve any radiation, medication, or needles. Youth who have metal in their bodies, including braces, are not eligible to participate.

  • Your child will receive up to $1,030 for participation in all research activities over three years.
  • Click here to complete an online screening form. If you complete the full web screen, you will have the option to receive a $10 e-gift card.

Click here to learn more about the BRAVE Research Center and other current studies. 

Parent-Child Learning

If you have a son or daughter between the ages of 10-14, he or she may qualify for a research study at the UW Department of Psychiatry. This study will examine how trauma and abuse affect brain development in youth, as well as social and biological functioning in families, to lead youth to resilience or vulnerability. Visits include a clinical assessment visit, three MRI brain scan visits completed over three consecutive days, and a final visit with computer games and other tasks.” Study activities include a clinical interview, MRI brain scan, questionnaires, and biological samples. This study does not involve any radiation, medication, or needles. Youth who have metal in their bodies, including braces, are not eligible to participate. 

  • Your child will receive up to $360 for participation in all five visits.  
  • Click to here complete an online screening form. If you complete the full web screen, you will have the option to receive a $10 e-gift card.

Click here to learn more about the BRAVE Research Center and other current studies. 

Adaptive Brains Learning about Emotions (ABLE) Study for Children ages 8-12

The UW Department of Psychiatry and the HealthEmotions Research Institute are looking for children, ages 8 to 12, to participate in a paid research study. Children who have received treatment in the past, or are taking medications for anxiety or other emotional issues are not eligible to participate. Children who have braces are also not eligible to participate. If you think your child may fit these criteria, please follow the “Click here to learn more.” link below to reach our study website and online screening form. The screening has sections for both you and your child to complete and will need to be completed in the same session. You will earn a $10 gift card to Amazon, Target, or Walmart for completing this survey. This gift card will be sent to you by mail after you complete the survey. Please note if you have previously completed this research study screening your child is NOT eligible for additional compensation and will not receive a gift card by mail. Children who qualify for the full study may receive up to $250 over multiple study sessions that include MRI brain scans, clinical assessment, behavioral tasks, and questionnaires about mood and health.

Click here to learn more. 

The Childbirth Education Study

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of different childbirth education courses. We will examine the effects of these courses on the mother’s approach to childbirth and parenting and how it influences brain and behavioral development in the offspring. Activities include completing questionnaires, as well as visits to the Waisman Center for behavioral observations and brain imaging of sleeping infants using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Families are compensated for all participation. This study was approved by the UW-Health Sciences Institutional Review Board.

To learn more about this study and the Center for Healthy Minds, please click here.

Join their Participant Registry Database here.

Assessment of Exercise and Eating Disorders (MAXED) Study for Girls and Young Women ages 16-22

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of persistent driven exercise on Eating Disorder Treatment.

For more information about this study and the Embark Lab, please click here.

Join the Body Advocacy Movement

Each week, we will take part in discussions and activities that support a positive body image and that promote body advocacy in the community. Participants will learn about the origins and negative consequences of our society’s beauty ideal, how to challenge their own personal body image concerns, and how to respond to others who encourage conformity with harmful beauty standards.

To learn more about this and the Embark Lab, please click here.

Stress in Pregnancy

The purpose of this research study is to find out how stress during pregnancy and the environment that children grow up in can affect childhood development.  We are doing this research because we know that stress can have an impact on a child’s well-being and we want to learn more so that we can improve children’s health outcomes in the future.

To learn more about this study and the Women’s Mental Health Program, please click here.

Mother-Child Impact Study

The purpose of this research study is to find out how maternal history of trauma and current psychological functioning impacts a child’s brain activity. We are doing this research because we know that trauma has a lasting effect on an individual’s well-being, and we want to investigate if that effect can cross generations.

To learn more about this study and the Women’s Mental Health Program, please click here.

Center for Healthy Minds

Are you interested in taking part in scientific research?

See the list of studies that are actively recruiting. If you meet the eligibility requirements, please contact the study coordinator via phone or email as indicated.

All information is kept confidential.

You can check back regularly for new listings or stay in touch more generally by signing up to receive e-mail updates from the Center.

Click here to learn more. 

Waisman Center