Studies looking for Participants
Scroll down for several studies looking for participants. Many are ongoing.
- The Social and Biological Correlates of Cognition in Schizophrenia – looking for persons with history of psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder
- Twin Study to find cause of schizophrenia – looking for identical twins where one has sz and the other does not.
- Genetic Counselling Study
- Stigma study: Family members of people with mental illness
- Mental health and pregnancy study
- COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY FOR TREATING FIRST EPISODE OF PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS
- fMRI Study of Psychosis
- Free psychological Treatment Program for Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder
- Bipolar Moms and Their Children
- BCCPD Looking for People Living With HIV/AIDS and Mental Illness
- AnxietyBC – OCD Study at UBC
- Attitudes about Brain Imaging and Genetic Testing Study
- 2010 UBC Parents of An Adult Child with Schizophrenia
- The Role of Supported Housing in Recovery – CrossCurrents Magazine
Attitudes about Brain Imaging and Genetic Testing
Researchers at UBC are interested in your views about brain imaging, genetic testing, and mental health.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are an adult diagnosed with:
* A psychotic disorder
or
* OCD
The study will involve an interview about your views on either brain imaging or genetic testing in mental health, scheduled at your convenience and lasting up to 45 minutes.
A $50 gift certificate will be provided for participating, and $10 to cover parking or transportation expenses.
If you would like more information about this study, please contact Emily Borgelt, Research Coordinator with National Core for Neuroethics at 604-822-0748 or email eborgelt@interchange.ubc.ca
(**Note: This is not a clinical trial and does not actually involve a brain scan or a genetic test.**)
Genetic counseling study:
We are investigating the potential benefits to someone with a mental illness of receiving more information about the causes of their illness through a process called genetic counselling. We are interested in hearing the thoughts and opinions of people with mental illness about the genetic counselling process, including input on how
it could better meet their needs.
Both men and women with a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder are being recruited to participate in the study. The study involves one or two meetings with a researcher and completing questionnaires at home. The meetings with the researcher will take place at Children and Womens Hospital. Reimbursement for travel expenses will be provided.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Andrea Ringrose at 604 875 2000 x.4733, or by email at mental.illness@ubc.ca PLEASE NOTE: WE ALSO HAVE AN IDENTICAL, PARALLEL STUDY IN WHICH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PERSONALLY AFFECTED CAN PARTICIPATE – IT IS OPEN TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN AFFECTED BROTHER, SISTER, PARENT OR CHILD.
Stigma study: Family members of people with mental illness
Stigma can have serious negative effects on people with mental illness and their family members.
We are developing a questionnaire to assess internalized stigma in first-degree family members (parents, brothers, sisters, and children) of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.
The questionnaire will gather information about stigma in family members of people with mental illness and aim to improve coping and the overall well being of the family network.
If you have a first-degree family member with mental illness and would like more information about participating please contact Emily Morris at mental.illness@ubc.ca or by phone 604 875 2000 (ext. 4733). Please note, you CAN participate if you have a mental illness yourself, as long as you also have an affected first degree family member too .
Mental health and pregnancy study:
We are also conducting a research study that aims to understand why some women develop postpartum depression or psychosis and others do not. The research is designed to test the idea that a genetic variation together with folate levels in a woman’s blood can influence her risk for postpartum depression. The aim of the research is to find ways to help to reduce womens risk for postpartum depression by using nutritional supplements. Women who are pregnant (at any stage of pregnancy) and who have a history of mental health problems are being recruited to participate in the study. The study involves a participant meeting with a researcher 4 times: once during the pregnancy, and 3 times over the first 3 months of the postpartum period. The researchers can cover costs of travel for women to participate in the research at either St. Paul’s \ or Children’s and Women’s Hospitals. Alternatively, study visits can
be conducted at participants’ homes or by email/phone. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jennifer Sloan at: 604 875 2000 X4733 or by email at mental.illness@ubc.ca
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY FOR TREATING FIRST EPISODE OF PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS
Studies have already demonstrated the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy to alleviate psychotic symptoms.
Dr. Tania Lecomte, in association with the department of psychiatry at UBC, and along with the mental health team in the Fraser Health region, including Dr. William MacEwan, M.D. from the Schizophrenia Research Division and the EPI Program, Fraser Health Authority, is conducting a study to investigate the specific effects of this approach on young adults between the ages of 19 and 35 who are experiencing symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions (i.e., psychotic symptoms). The project will also examine the impact of providing information sessions to family and friends about managing stress involved with a first episode of experiencing these types of symptoms.
If you :
- are aged between 19 and 35;
- suffer or have suffered from time to time from symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions (i.e., psychotic symptoms);
- have had those symptoms for two years or less;
- would like to meet other young people like you, sharing similar problems;
- would like to learn coping techniques and ways to lessen your symptoms in order to avoid future relapses.
We invite you to participate in our research project
Your participation in this project will include attending group therapy sessions. There will be 24 meetings (2 meetings per week for 3 months). There are also 3 individual evaluation meetings in which you will answer questionnaires and be interviewed about specific impacts of the therapy on your well being. These evaluation sessions will be held once before starting the groups, one 3 months later, and a final one 6 months after that.
1 or 2 family and/or friends are also invited to participate. They will be following their own specific group sessions at the same time as yours. They are also asked to complete 3 short evaluation meetings, following the same time schedule as yours.
If you are interested in this project, we invite you to contact us for more detailed information. You can leave your phone number so we can reach you, or call us at the following number:
Caroline Greaves, Research Coordinator, UBC
Ph: 604-875-4111, Ext. 61728 or Cell: 778-908-5194
fMRI Study of Psychosis
- Study Description: Researchers at UBC are interested in developing a better understanding of the brain systems associated with the symptoms of psychosis. Specifically, this study seeks to better understand what is happening in one’s brain when they are experiencing the symptoms of psychosis by using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology to view the brain function of individuals with and without psychosis while hearing and seeing words.
- Eligibility Criteria: If you are between the ages of 19 to 55, fluent in English, with a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, bipolar disorder OR without a history of a mental illness and are interested in contributing to brain research using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to scan your brain, we invite you to participate in our study!
- Time Commitment: A total of 8-12 hours over 2 or more days.
- Location of Research: University of British Columbia, Department of Psychiatry
- Contact Details:
o Name: Sarah Flann
o Institutional / Department Affiliation: UBC Department of Psychiatry and BCMHAS Department of Research
o Phone: 604-524-7672
o Fax: 604-524-7141
o Email: brainstudy@gmail.com
o Website: http://www3.telus.net/Todd_S_Woodward
Free psychological Treatment Program for Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder
Do you feel unusually anxious in social situations? Do you worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself in front of others? Are you overly concerned that others may think badly of you? If so, you may be experiencing social anxiety.
Social anxiety is characterized by a fear of social and/or performance situations, in which individuals are concerned that they may do something to embarrass or humiliate themselves, or that they will be negatively evaluated by others. Most people will experience social anxiety at some point in their lives. For some people, however, these fears are so intense and persistent that they result in significant distress and interference. These individuals may meet the diagnostic criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
Although this distress can be associated with a specific situation, such as having to give a formal speech, individuals with Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder fear a wide range of social situations. These situations can include having to initiate or maintain a conversation, speaking in meetings or in classes, or going to a party. These fears can lead to considerable impairment in daily routine, social activities, relationships, and occupational or academic functioning.
Researchers in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) are offering a free psychological treatment program, as part of a research study, for individuals suffering from Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder. The program is based on a cognitive-behavioural approach to treatment.
Treatment is offered in a group format, consisting of 14 sessions over a 4 ½-month period. Interested individuals will be asked to complete a brief phone interview and comprehensive in-person assessment in order to determine participant eligibility for the program. Information obtained during the assessment and treatment will also be used for research purposes to help further our understanding of social anxiety.
This program is suitable for individuals between 20 and 55 years of age, who are fluent in English, and who have a primary diagnosis of Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder. Interested individuals may contact the UBC Interpersonal Lab for more information about the program at 604-822-5047 or sadstudy@psych.ubc.ca.
Bipolar Moms and Their Children
Researchers at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital are conducting a study to look at cognitive development (thinking processes and memory) and mood of children of mothers with a diagnosis of bipolar depression. Drs. Jane Garland, Allan Young, Adele Diamond and Karine Macritchie, are studying emotional and cognitive development in children who are at risk of developing a mood disorder. We are looking for mothers who have Bipolar I disorder and their children to participate. More detailed information about this study is available at the MDA website.
BCCPD Looking for People Living With HIV/AIDS and Mental Illness
The BC Coalition of People With Disabilities is creating its first Health Education, Advocacy and Leadership (HEAL) project, and is looking for people living with HIV/AIDS and mental illness. The project, a series of five HEAL guides for people living with HIV/AIDS, will include the experiences and knowledge from people living with HIV/AIDS and depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse/harm reduction, stigma or episodic disability. Participation is confidential and you may use a pseudonym. For more information, contact Shelley at the BCCPD at 604-875-0188 or wdi@bccpd.bc.ca, or visit www.bccpd.bc.ca.
Management strategies for bipolar disorder
Dr. Erin Michalak from the University of British Columbia is conducting a ‘qualitative’ study (using interviews or focus groups) of the strategies people with BD type I or II use to manage their disorder. She and her research team are looking for people with bipolar disorder I or II who feel they require ongoing support and services.
* Eligibility Criteria: If you are aged 19-65, have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and feel you require ongoing support and services
* Time Commitment: 1.5 hours interview or focus group, 1 hour mood assessment, and self-administered questionnaires
* Compensation: We will provide an honorarium of $50 to cover transportation costs
* Location of Research: University of British Columbia
* Risks & Benefits: No risks
* Contact Details:
Annie Kuan
Institutional / Department Affiliation: UBC, Psychiatry
Phone: 604-822-7247
Fax:604-822-7922
Email: anniek@interchange.ubc.ca
AnxietyBC – OCD Study at UBC
The UBC Department of Psychiatry is currently seeking individuals with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to participate in a study focused on identifying the cognitive underpinnings of OCD. See Cognitive Contributions to OCD
The Role of Supported Housing in Recovery
I’m the editor of CrossCurrents (www.camhcrosscurrents.net), a Canadian mental health and addiction magazine for frontline workers. We’re doing an issue about supported housing. I would like to hear your personal experiences about the role of housing in recovery. If you are interested, please send me an email describing your experience. I’m at hema_zbogar@camh.net. Your comments will remain anonymous. Please answer these questions:
1. What is the role of housing in your recovery?
2. What has been your biggest challenge in finding appropriate housing?
3. What was the best place you ever lived? What made it so good? What stops you from being in that ideal place now?
Thank you.
Hema Zbogar
Editor, CrossCurrents
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
33 Russell St.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 2S1
tel: 416 595-6714
fax: 416 595-6892
Title: The Social and Biological Correlates of Cognition in Schizophrenia
Location: University of British Columbia, Department of Psychology
Investigator: Dr. Colleen Brenner
Study description: This study focuses on the kinds of biological, behavioural and cognitive difficulties that many people with schizophrenia experience. Participation in the study will involve interviews and questionnaires about your experiences, perceptions, feelings and background to determine eligibility. If eligible, you will complete tests of thinking, concentration and memory. The final part of the study will involve measurement of your brainwaves (EEG) while responding to sounds and images on a computer screen. The entire study should take approximately 6.5 hours and you will be paid $10 an hour.
- Eligibility Criteria: If you are between the ages of 19 to 55, fluent in English, with a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder, and no history of a serious head injury we invite you to participate.
- Phone: (604) 822-3735
- Website: http://ccnlab.psych.ubc.ca/
