Now Recruiting First-Time Expectant Mothers!
Study Overview
This research study looks at how the maternal brain changes over the transition to becoming a parent, the role of psychological factors in shaping such changes, and the impact of such changes on parenting and child development.
Participation in this study involves four time points, one during your 3rd trimester of pregnancy and one at 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months postpartum. At each time point you would be asked to complete questionnaires and lab visits. Questionnaires are completed online prior to each lab visit and take about an hour. During lab visits at the first three time points, mothers' brain activity will be monitored while they listen to and view infant emotional expressions. During lab visits at the last three time points, mothers and babies will complete caregiving tasks (e.g., diaper change) and play together. Each lab visit is approximately 1-2 hours.
Compensation
You will receive $50 after completing each lab visit. If you complete all time points, you will receive an additional $50 after completing the last time point. Thus, for completing this study, you will receive $350.
Eligibility
You are eligible to participate if you are a first-time expectant mother over the age of 18 years old:
COVID-19 Screening and Precautions
Your safety and the safety of your child is important to us. Thus, we have implemented several procedures to increase participant safety during lab visits, including:
This research study looks at how the maternal brain changes over the transition to becoming a parent, the role of psychological factors in shaping such changes, and the impact of such changes on parenting and child development.
Participation in this study involves four time points, one during your 3rd trimester of pregnancy and one at 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months postpartum. At each time point you would be asked to complete questionnaires and lab visits. Questionnaires are completed online prior to each lab visit and take about an hour. During lab visits at the first three time points, mothers' brain activity will be monitored while they listen to and view infant emotional expressions. During lab visits at the last three time points, mothers and babies will complete caregiving tasks (e.g., diaper change) and play together. Each lab visit is approximately 1-2 hours.
Compensation
You will receive $50 after completing each lab visit. If you complete all time points, you will receive an additional $50 after completing the last time point. Thus, for completing this study, you will receive $350.
Eligibility
You are eligible to participate if you are a first-time expectant mother over the age of 18 years old:
- In the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
- Expecting a single birth
- Do not plan to move outside of the Columbia area for 18 months
- Not experiencing pregnancy/fetal development complications
- Right handed
- Have not experienced a significant head injury or been unconscious for longer than 10 min (unless for surgery)
- Do not have a neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis)
COVID-19 Screening and Precautions
Your safety and the safety of your child is important to us. Thus, we have implemented several procedures to increase participant safety during lab visits, including:
- Mothers will be asked to complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire prior to the lab visit.
- Mother and infant temperature will be taken at the beginning of lab visits and mothers will be asked about their symptoms and their infant’s symptoms.
- Mothers will be asked to wear a mask during lab visits. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided. Mothers may be asked to remove masks during interactions with their infant. Note, masks will only be removed when mothers are alone with their infant and no other research personnel are in the room.
- Extensive cleaning procedures have been implemented prior to and following lab visits. All surfaces and equipment will be disinfected.