Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why were my spouse and I contacted?
2. What would our participation involve?
3. How would we be compensated?
4. What is the purpose of this research?
5. How do we sign up to participate?
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Why were my spouse and I contacted? Back to Top
   • We contacted you because you recently registered for a marriage license in Western Massachusetts and we would like to invite you to join our study of newlywed couples.
     
     
2. What would our participation involve? Back to Top
   • As a participating couple, you would visit us at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst three (3) times during the first few years of your marriage. During these sessions you would:
     • Complete some questionnaires about yourself and your relationship;
     • Talk with your partner about things that matter to you in an interaction activity;
     • Provide some samples of saliva that will help us learn more about your health-related responses.
       
       
3. How would we be compensated for participating? Back to Top
   • Couples who complete all three sessions will be compensated a total of $450. This total includes:
     • At the first session, each couple will be paid $100 for participating;
     • At the second session, each couple will be paid $140 for participating;
     • At the third session, each couple will be paid $160 for participating;
     • Couples who complete all three sessions will receive an additional $50 bonus at the third session, resulting in a total compensation of $450 per couple for all three sessions.
       
       
4. What is the purpose of this research? Back to Top
   • Our project focuses on the early years of marriage, which are an important time in people's lives. The Growth in Early Marriage Project (GEM), funded by the National Institutes of Health, is a study of couples from Western Massachusetts who are newly married.
   • The researchers who lead this study, Dr. Paula Pietromonaco and Dr. Sally Powers are interested in how couples change over time, and about the ways in which close relationships can affect health.
   • We want to learn firsthand from newlyweds and to understand their experiences as they make the transition to married life. 
     
     
5. How do we sign up to participate? Back to Top
   • You and your partner are eligible for the study if:
     • you both are between the ages of 18 and 50
     • you have been married for less than 6-7 months
     • you and your spouse are both in your first marriage
     • you and your spouse do not currently have children
     • neither spouse has an endocrine disorder (e.g., thyroid, pancreas, pituitary, or adrenal gland
       disorders)
     • neither spouse regularly works an overnight (e.g., midnight to 8am) shift
     • both you and your spouse are willing to participate
     • you plan to live in the local area for the next 3-4 years
   • If you meet these criteria and you are interested in particpating in the GEM project, you can find out more by contacting Mary D'Alessandro, the GEM Project Coordinator, via e-mail (maryd@psych.umass.edu) or phone (413-545-4295). We hope you will consider participating!