Project description
Team & Project Background: Our work in the HEalth and Adaptation in Relationships Team (“the HEART Lab”) focuses on the critical role close relationships play in our health and everyday lives. Lifestyle (e.g., physical activity, nutrition) is heavily influenced by our social context, yet few “lifestyle interventions” for adults at risk for chronic health conditions systematically include close others. Our team worked closely with a Community Advisory Board of 12 community members with lived and/or professional experience with type 2 diabetes to develop a couple-based lifestyle intervention, PreventT2 Together. In addition to incorporating romantic partners into the intervention, we sought to increase the applicability of the program to a broader range of individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes. We updated examples throughout the program to more accurately represent the diversity of adults in the United States, and to increase the emphasis on communities disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes (e.g., people of color). The current 5-year project (2024-2029) examines the efficacy of PreventT2 Together in increasing physical activity among individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Couples are randomly assigned to either participate in PreventT2 Together as a couple, or for partner(s) at high risk for type 2 diabetes to participate in PreventT2 individually. By simultaneously targeting lifestyle and support from romantic partners, we think there is a high likelihood of creating lasting changes in both. Recruitment of couples for the year-long programs began in March 2025 and will continue for several years. Total expected enrollment is 162 individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes along with their romantic partners (324 total participants).
Keywords: NIK NIDDK Psychology Department
- RAs will work with Lab Manager and Study Coordinator Elizabeth Beaulieu to set a regular weekly schedule of hours in the BEHS lab.
- The exact schedule is flexible, but will generally be weekdays between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
- Occasionally during data collection (anticipated 2x/month), the position will require evening and weekend hours, so some availability during those times is required.
- Paid RA positions will include time over University breaks (e.g., winter break, Fall/Spring break), although the lab is closed on University holidays. There is a process for RAs to request paid and unpaid vacation time.
- The total commitment will not exceed 10 hours per week.
- Attend weekly Project Management Meetings focused on planning, training, and ongoing discussions related to daily project operations, including participant recruitment and retention, data collection and assessment procedures, and data cleaning.
- The Study Coordinator (Elizabeth Beaulieu) will serve as the primary supervisor, with additional training and oversight provided by PhD student Graduate Research Assistants and the Principal Investigator (Dr. Katie Baucom).
- RAs will be responsible for carrying out in-person assessments with participants. Assessments include measuring participant weight, administering point-of-care A1c tests, educating participants on the use of activity and sleep monitors, and documenting all contact with participants.
- Responsibilities also include initializing activity and sleep monitors and cleaning data upon their return from participants.
- Prepare/update study recruitment materials
- Provide materials to recruitment liaisons/partners (e.g., community members, Wellness Bus staff, other University and community sites)
- Post recruitment materials at local businesses
- Contact potentially eligibility participants by phone to follow up on emailed study information and assess their interest in being contacted by the study team
- Perform data management tasks including quality control of study procedures, data review, and accurate data entry and verification.
- Collaborative, team player, kind person
- Accountable – show up as planned (unless there’s an emergency), be on time, be prepared
- Effective – apply the skills you develop/strengthen early on in the experience (you will receive LOTS of training!), ask questions when you aren’t sure, help us make the team more effective/efficient
- Clear communicator
This is a paid research position.
- Collaborative, team player, kind person
- Accountable – show up as planned (unless there’s an emergency), be on time, be prepared
- Effective – apply the skills you develop/strengthen early on in the experience (you will receive LOTS of training!)
- Ask questions when you aren’t sure, help us make the team more effective/efficient
- Clear communicator