When asked if we would help spread the word about this study, Danica didn’t hesitate. Over the years, Harmony Doulas have supported and conducted research at Mizzou, including participating in research studies in this very lab! Furthering the collective knowledge is not only important, but impactful. If you are a first-time mom, currently pregnant, continue reading to see if you might be a good fit for this study.
Help us learn about the maternal brain
This research study looks at how the maternal brain changes over the transition to motherhood, psychological factors that shape such changes, and the impact of those changes on child development as well as parenting.
Learn More About this Maternal Brain Research Study
You can visit our website for more information: THE FAMILY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT LAB @ THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
What does my participation involve?
Participation involves four different time points, the first during your 3rd trimester of pregnancy and consecutive visits when your infant is 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months old.
What will I be doing during this study?
During the first three time points, mother’s brain activity will be monitored via EEG while they listen to and view infant emotional expressions.
During the last three time points, mothers and their babies will complete caregiving tasks (e.g., diaper change) and play together.
At each time point you would be asked to complete questionnaires online prior to each lab visit, and they take about an hour to complete.
Will I be paid for this research study?
You will receive $50 after completing each lab visit. In addition, if you complete all time points, you will receive a bonus of $50 after completing the last time point, for a total of up to $350!
Am I eligible to participate?
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 no 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 minutes (unless for surgery)
- Do not have a neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis)
Ready to Sign Up? Schedule a Time to Participate!
You can sign up for the first lab visit by visiting our scheduling page.
Please select a visit date for when you’re in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy (28 weeks-birth).
Have More Questions?
Complete the form on the bottom of our website page and we will contact you with more information about signing up. Filling out the interest form does not automatically enroll you in the study.
Email: mupsycfcdlab@missouri.edu
Facebook: Family and Child Development Lab at the University of Missouri
Learn More About the Family & Child Development Lab at Mizzou
The Family and Child Development Lab was founded in 2014, under the direction of Ashley M. Groh, Ph.D. We are located at the University of Missouri in McReynolds Hall within the Department of Psychological Sciences. The research conducted in our lab focuses on the developmental origins of parent-child relationships and how such relationships affect children’s social and emotional development. The goals of our research are to provide insight into how relationships with others affect development across the lifespan and which factors causing adversity in close relationships may be overcome. Current projects in the lab focus on maternal brain development and its relation to mother and infant development, the long-term impact of infant attachment and temperament for development across the lifespan, and the role of race/ethnicity in the parental brain. Findings from our research demonstrate the critical role that children’s early relationships with parents play in their development, and provide insight into how best to support parents and children in the first years of life.
Learn more about the lab: THE FAMILY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT LAB @ THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Learn more about current projects and recent lab findings: Research – THE FAMILY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT LAB @ THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
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