Have a question? We might have the answer! If your answer is not found below, contact us to find out!
How long have your studies been running?
We started our preliminary study in 1993! These days, we are still working with our participants via mail. They are adults now!
We began collecting data and working at Camp Independence (formerly Camp Ability) in 2005.
Our first home visits for the current CHATS project began in 2007. We are still going strong!
How can families benefit from participating in the study?
Families who participate in this study get a chance to spend time interacting with each other and talking about issues that are of concern to them.
Families are helping us gain information about the development of children and adolescents with spina bifida. Other families with children with spina bifida and health care professionals that work with such families will benefit from our findings. We have published numerous papers that detail our results and we frequently present our findings at national conferences.
Why are we studying spina bifida?
Children and teenagers with spina bifida face a variety of issues in their daily lives that can be challenging for them (as well as their families) to manage. Through our research study, we are trying to better understand ways in which families cope with these issues, as well as ways in which medical professionals, psychologists, and professional organizations might be able to assist families. The information that we obtain from you is used in presentations at psychology conferences, and in meetings with doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals to improve the services provided to children and adolescents with spina bifida, and to help you and others obtain the support and resources you may need.
Why do the home visits last so long? Why are the questionnaires so repetitive?
We try to keep the visits as enjoyable as possible, but we realize that filling out the questionnaires can become a little tedious, especially because some of them may be somewhat repetitive. The reason that some of the items on different questionnaires overlap is because many of them are designed to assess related topics, and each questionnaire is designed with its own system of scoring and interpretation. If we were to take out those questions, the scoring and interpretation methods would no longer be valid. As a result, we have to present the questionnaires in their complete form so we can adequately interpret the results. We do try to keep the overlapping items to a minimum, whenever possible. We are very grateful for your patience!
Are there any research assistant positions available? How can I join the lab?
We are often seeking qualified individuals to join the CHATS lab! Most RAs are either Loyola undergraduates interested in psychology, medicine, and/or related fields OR college graduates looking to get more involved in research.
Because we work with many Spanish-speaking families, RAs who are comfortable reading and speaking Spanish are especially needed! (However, it is not necessary that all RAs are knowledgeable in Spanish).
Is Dr. Holmbeck taking any new graduate students in the Fall?
Dr. Holmbeck is often looking to mentor a new graduate student, although this can change from year to year. Interested applicants are encouraged to e-mail him about the particular upcoming application cycle.