Dear Mothers,
I am looking for mothers whose children are between the ages of 3 and 17.99 years and who are typically developing to assist me with some important research about autism and family history of depression and bipolar disorder. By typically developing I mean children who do not have autism, a developmental disability, or a chronic physical or mental health challenges. Participation involves completion of 5-15 minute online survey. Mothers who complete the survey will have a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
Ready to take the survey click here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Towson_Unv_Survey
Need more information
In a previous study conducted at Kennedy Krieger Institute, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) completed a similar survey. The results indicated that some of the mothers were coping with depression and their families had a history of bipolar mood disorders. It may be that there is a link between autism and a family history of bipolar mood disorders and depression. In other words, autism and mood disorders may be genetically linked.
To better understand if there is a possible link, results from the survey completed by mothers with children with ASD need to be compared with those of mothers of typically developing children. Unfortunately, there is no available information that that compares the experiences of these two groups of mothers. That is why I am seeking mothers of typically developing children to complete a survey. I want to learn whether depression and bipolar mood disorders occur at the same frequency for both groups of mothers or occur more frequency for mothers of children with ASD. The survey is anonymous so I will be able to see your answers but I will not know your identity. Participation is voluntary. Answer only those questions you are comfortable completing.
I am a Towson University graduate student in the Occupational Science Doctoral program. I am conducting this study under the supervision of my doctoral committee. I would be grateful for your valuable input and participation. Please contact me if you have any questions. To begin the survey, click on the link below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Towson_Unv_Survey
Best Regards.
If you have any questions about the study, you can contact: Haifa Batarseh hbatar1@students.towson.edu
Dr. Debi Gartland, Chairperson of the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Participants at Towson University. Phone: 410-704-2236, or email: ours@towson.edu.
