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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will I be paid?
A: You will be paid $20 - $30 for the psychiatric interview, depending on the time taken for the interview. You will be paid $100 for subsequent participation in the home-visit, lab-visit, and filling out surveys. If you participate in all stages of the study at 5, 12, and 24 months, you will receive a total of approximately $390. Spouses/partners who complete the surveys at 5, 12, and 24-months will receive a total of $75.

Q: Are there any risks or discomfort that I should know about?
A: All procedures are non-intrusive. Previous work conducted in our laboratory assures us that while some mothers may initially feel slightly self-conscious while being observed and filmed, they relax in a short period of time and enjoy being involved in a study that focuses on their child and his or her development.

Q: What will the psychiatric interview involve?
A: You will be asked a series of standard questions about your feelings and behaviors. The interview can take anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes. The interview will take place at the clinical center on NIH's main campus. You will be able to discuss your concerns with the clinician in the study. We will make every effort to help you feel comfortable during these interviews.

Q: Will I find out the results of the psychiatric interview?
A: At the completion of the initial interview, if findings are suggestive of a condition that may impact your mental health, we will make the information available to you and refer you to our study clinician. In consultation with the clinician, you can arrange any necessary follow-up testing to confirm or clarify the preliminary findings of our research assessment. However, NIH will not pay for further medical evaluation and treatment.

Q: What if I have my baby with me for the interview and I can't get a sitter?
A: You don't have to bring your baby to the initial consultation, but if you do, childcare will be provided by our research team at NICHD.

Q: Does this study provide any kind of treatment?
A: We will not be able to provide ongoing treatment, but are willing to provide you and if you so desire a physician designated by you, with feedback about our findings. In consultation with the physician, you can arrange any necessary follow-up testing to confirm or clarify the preliminary findings of our research assessment.

Q: What will the home visit involve?
A: If you are chosen to continue, we ask your permission to visit your home for approximately 1 hour to film you and your baby during your typical daily activities. This visit will occur when your baby is approximately 5-months old and we simply ask you to behave as you typically do when you are at home alone with your baby. At the end of this visit, we will give you a variety of surveys to fill out at home. If there are ever any questions that make you feel uncomfortable, you have the option to not answer them. All of your responses will be confidential. You will be asked to return all surveys at the time of your next visit with us. At the end of the home visit we will provide a small toy for your child.

Q: What will the lab visit involve?
A: Within one week of our visit to your home, we will invite you and your baby to visit our lab one time for approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, you will be asked to return the surveys that were given to you at the home visit. You will then be asked to interact and play with your baby while s/he is seated directly in front of you. These sessions will be videotaped and will take about 20 minutes to complete. If at any time your child should become too upset to continue, the procedure will stop, and an attempt will be made to resume after your baby is soothed. Throughout this visit, there will be several play breaks to refresh your child and to break up the testing routine.

You and your baby will then be asked to participate in a variety of filmed situations. We are interested in learning how different children react to different situations. An example includes our observation of how babies will react to a toy with sound and light display. Then your baby will be shown human faces on the screen to see how s/he responds to them. At the end of this visit, regardless of your baby's reaction, we will provide you with useful information on children's development. You will also be paid $100 for your efforts and our sincere thanks for your valuable participation.

You will be contacted to continue the study when your child is nearing 12-months and again when s/he is 24-months old. In addition to repeating the above procedures, we will add some new measures for toddlers. Your child will engage in a series of interesting activities that investigate various aspects of early language and social reasoning. Your payment for participation will be repeated at the 12-month and 24-month visit.

Q: Where are your NIH offices located?
A: We are located off the NIH's main campus, but are still within the city of Bethesda, Maryland. Address: 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 8030, Bethesda, MD 20892-7971. We are accessible by the major highways (I-270, I-495 Capital Beltway), MD-124 (Old Georgetown Road), and Metro (Medical Center station on the red line). We will provide you with driving directions and shuttle schedules from the Metro station before you arrive. Please visit the CFR site for directions and visitor information.

Q: Do you provide transportation?
A: We can reimburse you for the cab fare, if necessary.