Research Studies

ARCS is a large study that seeks to understand how family conflict and other stressors affect the development and behavior of young children. ARCS will help us to identify ways that families and professionals can help to build resilience in young children who have experienced family conflict or violence.

We invite participation from mothers and their 4- to 6-year-old children. We are seeking mothers who have experienced partner conflict and mothers who have not experienced it. Mothers must be 18 years or older and be able to answer study questions in English.

This study involves a visit to our child-friendly laboratory. Mothers answer survey and interview questions and do activities with their children. Kids do computer and puzzle-like activities with one of our team members. In addition, kids “talk” with our puppets about their feelings and experiences. We also use safe, sticky sensors to see how kids react to different emotional facial expressions presented on a computer screen. (Don’t worry! We explain all about the sensors at the time of the visit – mothers decide about it once they see how it all works.)

There is plenty of time for breaks and snacks. The visit usually takes about 3 to 4 hours. Because kids usually finish before mothers do, we entertain them while they wait. Our lab is at 65 Kane Street in West Hartford. This is close to I-84 and bus routes. It is a building over from the Goldroc Diner.

Mothers can earn up to $250 in gift cards to Stop and Shop. Children receive several gifts and prizes, including a UConn Health Kid Scientist t-shirt and backpack, toys, and other prizes.

Travel support is available as needed. If visits occur during mealtime, we will help to coordinate so that you and your child can eat.

Want to find out more? Contact our research coordinator at 860-798-8790 or enrollment specialist Mayra Pino at 860-384-5102.

Want to know if you are eligible? Visit the ARCS U01 Screening Tool to answer our questions and find out if you are eligible in minutes!

End date: May 2024

CALM is a research study funded by the U.S. Department of Education. In the study, elementary school nurses are trained to help support students struggling with anxiety.

Currently, the CALM study is enrolling school nurses interested in training to support students and families with children who may benefit from learning skills to better manage anxiety. More detailed information is provided below, and please feel free to contact us to learn more.

Contact the CALM Team at 860-523-3788 or CALM@uchc.edu.

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For Elementary School Nurses

Enhancing the Capacity of School Nurses to Reduce Child Anxiety (CALM)

What is this study about?

This research study was funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to compare two interventions to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve academic functioning in 5- to 12-year-old children. Both interventions are brief, evidence-based, and delivered by school nurses in 5 to 6 sessions of 20 to 30 minutes each.

Why should you volunteer for this study?

• Learn strategies to help students who are struggling with anxiety
• Receive free training and supervision
• Receive copies of the intervention manual and handouts to use with youth
• Receive financial compensation for completing study requirements (up to $225 in your first year)

What will you be asked to do?

• Attend one-day virtual training (usually during the weekend or after school)
• Recruit students with excessive anxiety from your school
• Deliver the brief intervention to students (5 to 6 meetings)
• Receive supervision/consultation from the CALM Team (virtual)
• Complete study questionnaires

Here’s what school nurses said about CALM:
“To all, it’s been a pleasure and privilege to be part of this project. Thank you.”

“Thank you so much for this invaluable experience. I am a better practitioner because of it.”

“The handouts are phenomenal, and the clinical supervision was wonderful.”

100% of participating nurses said they would recommend the CALM program.

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For Families of Children Ages 5 to 12 Who May Be Experiencing Anxiety

• Is your child very nervous, anxious, or shy?
• Does your child seem afraid, worried, or stressed?
• Your school nurse may be able to help.

What is the goal of this study?

The aim of this research study is to compare two versions of a brief nurse-administered intervention called Children’s Anxiety Learning Modules (CALM) to reduce anxiety and improve academic functioning. The research is being conducted in U.S. schools. There is no medication involved in this study.

Who is eligible?

Children ages 5 to 12 years old whose worry or anxiety makes life hard for them.

What is involved in participating in this study?

• You and your child will meet with study staff virtually or in person for a free evaluation to see if this study is right for your child.
• If eligible, you will randomly be assigned to receive 1 of 2 free interventions for anxiety from the school nurse. Interventions include 5 to 6 brief (20 to 30 minutes) student-nurse sessions to learn effective coping skills (1 in 5 students will wait 8 weeks before starting the intervention).
• You and your child will meet with study staff 2 more times after the intervention so we can see if your child’s anxiety has improved.
• Families may earn up to $140 in gift cards for participating.

Want to find out more? Contact the CALM Team at 860-523-3788 or CALM@uchc.edu.

Principal Investigator: Golda Ginsburg, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry

IRB Number: 21-037-2

Funded By: U.S. Department of Education

End date: May 2025

MAPP is a research study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. In the study, primary care providers are trained to help support youth struggling with anxiety.

Currently, the MAPP study is enrolling primary care providers interested in learning skills to manage anxiety better to support youth in their practices. More detailed information is provided below. Please feel free to contact us to learn more.

Contact the MAPP Team at 860-523-3786 or MAPP@uchc.edu.

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For Primary Care Providers

Managing Anxiety in Pediatric Primary Care (MAPP)

What is this study about?

This study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to test a brief primary care provider (PCP; nurses, pediatricians, physician assistants) administered intervention to reduce anxiety symptoms and related impairment. This study is for youth 6-17 years old.

Why should PCPs volunteer for this study?

• Learn strategies to help youth who are struggling with anxiety
• Receive gift cards for training and coaching
• Receive copies of the intervention manual and handouts to use with youth

• Receive financial compensation for completing study requirements

What will PCPS be asked to do?

• Attend a 3-hour virtual or in-person training (training sessions are very flexible)
• Recruit youth with excessive anxiety from your clinic or practice
• Deliver the brief intervention to youth (approximately 4 meetings)
• Receive coaching from the MAPP Team (virtual)
• Complete study questionnaires

Here’s what primary care providers said about MAPP:

“I cannot think of anything that has not been great.”

“So exciting!! Exactly was we need!”

“Amazing training! Thanks for boiling CBT down in tid bits that can be done in primary care.”

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For Families of Children Ages 6 to 17 Who May Be Experiencing Anxiety

• Is your child very nervous, anxious, or shy?
• Does your child seem afraid, worried, or stressed?
• Your pediatric primary care provider may be able to help.

What is the goal of this study?

The aim of this research study is to compare usual care to a brief intervention administered by your youth’s primary care provider to reduce anxiety. The research is being conducted in U.S. clinics. There is no medication involved in this study.

Who is eligible?

Children aged 6 to 17 years old whose worry or anxiety makes life hard for them.

What is involved in participating in this study?

• You and your child will meet with study staff virtually or in person for a free evaluation to see if this study is right for your child.
• If eligible, you will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to either the enhanced usual care group (written resources on anxiety reduction strategies) or the MAPP intervention group (approximately 4 meetings with your PCP to learn how to reduce anxiety).
• You and your child will meet with study staff 2 more times after the intervention so we can see if your child’s anxiety has improved.
• Families may earn up to $220 in gift cards for participating.

Want to find out more? Contact the MAPP Team at 860-523-3786 or MAPP@uchc.edu.

Principal Investigator: Golda Ginsburg, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry

IRB Number: 23-111SO-2

Funded By: National Institute of Mental Health

End date: May 2025

Is your child very worried, anxious, or stressed about the transition to middle school?

A new program called TEAMSS (Transitioning Emotionally and Academically to Middle School Successfully) may be able to help.

What is TEAMSS?

TEAMSS is a research study designed to develop and assess a multi-component intervention to reduce anxiety and improve academic functioning through the transition to middle school. There is no medication involved in this study.

Who is eligible?

Students in their last year of elementary school who will be transitioning to middle school and whose worry/anxiety makes life harder for them.

What is involved in participating in this study?

• Parents and children will meet with study staff virtually or in person for a free evaluation to see if this study is right for your child.
• If eligible, your child will meet with their middle school clinician for a school tour in their last year of elementary school. They will also receive written material on tips for a successful transition to middle school. At the start of middle school, students will meet in a group (with other students (about 6-7 times over 10 weeks) virtually or at their school.
• School clinicians will host two parent group meeting and will consult with your child’s teacher about how to lower anxiety and succeed in a smooth transition to middles school.
• You and your child will complete a total of 4 assessments (virtually or in person based on your preference with study staff) before and after the intervention.
• Your participation in the study will be approximately 12 months.

Are there benefits or compensation?

• We do not know if your child will benefit from being in this study, but your child may learn new ways to cope with life’s stressors and feel less scared and worried.
• You and your child can receive up to $70 in gift cards for your participation for completing all 4 study evaluations.

For more information, contact the TEAMSS study team at 860-523-6441 or TEAMSS@uchc.edu.

Principal Investigator: Golda Ginsburg, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry

IRB Number: 22-114OS-1

Funded by: U.S. Department of Education