|
Frequently Asked Questions About PALS
-
What are
you studying?
The PALS Study is examining the role of
childhood ADHD on later adolescent and young adult development. As
part of
this study, we are also interested in how young adults with a
history of ADHD are different from those who do not have a
history
of ADHD. We are studying family life, employment, peer relations,
school performance, substance use, mental
health, and other factors.
-
During my
interview, why do you ask the same questions over and over again?
This could happen for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes we use questions from other studies to compare results and
we have
to keep all of the questions, even if there is repetition.
Some questionnaires may ask the same question in more than one
way
to make sure that the participant understands what is being asked or
to determine if the participant is answering the
questions
consistently.
-
A lot of
the questions don't pertain to me (or my son/daughter), why are you
asking them?
This is a very large study and there is
considerable variability across participants. The age range alone,
ranging from 16 to
32 in 2006, makes it difficult to have a set of
questionnaires that are relevant for everyone. We are
interested in as much
information as you feel that you are able to
provide, and don't want to presume that something doesn't apply to a
particular
family based on age or other factors. If you are
having difficulty answering a particular question, please discuss it
with the
interviewer with whom you are working. If you are
filling out the forms at home and mailing them in, please make a
notation
next to any question that you are unable to answer.
This will highlight the question for the interviewer who conducts
your
telephone interview and it may be discussed at that time.
We are making an effort to revise our questions to be more
appropriate at the age range of our participants and appreciate your
patience with us as we do this. In some instances,
developmentally appropriate questionnaires don't exist and we have
to draft our own for use in this study.
-
Do you
offer treatment to participants?
We do not offer treatment
in the
PALS study,
but will try to assist
PALS
participants
with referrals on a case by case basis.
The
Community Resources section of this site also contains treatment
information.
The Treatment Studies section of
this
site provides information about ongoing treatment studies in
the Youth and Family Research Program.
-
When/where
can I read about the results of the study?
Preliminary results are included in each issue of the
Study Newsletter.
These
summaries are easier to read than the full
manuscripts as they may
appear in a professional journal. Analyses of the data we have
gathered to date are always on
going. As we summarize these, we will
continue to share them with our participants in the newsletter that
is sent by mail and
available on this website.
-
Why did the
study move to a new location?
With the growth and expansion of our
program and others in Bellefield Towers, there was no longer enough
room for all of
us to be in one place. After 17 years on the
5th floor of Bellefield Towers, we were offered the great
opportunity to move to
a brand new space that was designed
specifically for our program. Please feel free to check out
our new space- we love it!
Return to PALS - The Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study
|
