Helping Teens Heal

Q- What is the purpose of the study?

A - The purpose of this study is to examine how local Black parents and their adolescent children interact, cope, and construct meaning around homicide death.

 

Q- What type of participants meet the criteria of the study?

A- Black parent (i.e. mother, father, or legal guardian) and teen sons (ages 13-18) dyads (15-25 dyads) will be recruited through Poughkeepsie youth programs and local churches. Teens need to have experienced the homicide death of a friend, family member, or community member.

 

Q- Are teen girls eligible to participate in the study?

A- No, at the time of the study, we are just focusing on the adolescent male population.

 

Q- What is the incentive for participating in this research study?

A- A maximum of two parents (adult caregivers/guardians) per family are eligible to participate in the study. Each parent will receive a $20 incentive to compensate for time and transportation. A maximum of two teen sons per family are eligible to participate. Each teen son will receive a $10 incentive for participation. Snacks will also be provided during interview sessions.

 

Q- How long will the study take?

A- Each interview will last approximately 60-90 minutes. Following the interview participants will be debriefed and offered and/or connected to any necessary supports.

 

Q- What are the benefits of this study?

A- Participants may benefit from the opportunity to share their personal experiences of losing loved ones to violence. Additionally, they may experience a sense of gratification by sharing their experiences with the goal of helping others who are also grieving the homicide death of a loved one. Interviews may also create opportunities for families to talk to one another about their experience with loss and strengthen their relationship.

 

Q- What are the risks of participating in the study?

A- The study has minimal risks. Counseling has the ability to help the participant work through the grief or loss, but conversations about grief and loss are sensitive in nature and you may become emotional.

 

Q- Will my identity and what I share during the interview remain private and confidential?

A- Yes, all participants will be assigned fake names to help protect their identities. All interviews will be confidential and conducted in private spaces. Fake names will be used to mask the identities of any other person named during the interview (i.e. neighbor, family member, school personnel, etc.).

 

Q- Who can I contact to learn more about this research opportunity and participate?

A- Primary Researcher- Dr. Jocelyn R. Smith Lee, PhD, LGMFT (Dr. J)

845-HEAL-26 (845-432-5526) Or Email: HelpingTeensHeal@gmail.com

 

Q. How do I get to the Family Partnership Center?

By Car:

From Northern New York:

Take the New York State Thruway South to Exit 18 (New Paltz). Take Route 299 East to Route 9W South; continue on 9W to Route 44-55 (Mid-Hudson Bridge) Poughkeepsie. Continue over the bridge onto Church Street, then take the left onto South Hamilton Street.  

 

From New Jersey and Points South:

Take the New Jersey Turnpike to the Garden State Parkway North to the New York State

Thruway. Take the Thruway North to Exit 17 (Newburgh). Take I-84 East to exit 13 (Route 9 North). Head north about 14 miles and take a left onto Church Street, then take the left onto South Hamilton Street.

From New York City:

Take the Hutchinson River Parkway to 684 North to I-84. Take I-84 West to exit 13 (Route 9). Head north on Route 9 about 14 miles and take a left onto Church Street, then take the left onto South Hamilton Street.

 

By Train:

Metro-North Commuter Railroad connects New York City's Grand Central Terminal with Poughkeepsie. For timetables, call 800-METRO-INFO or visit their website. Poughkeepsie is also served by Amtrak. For schedules, call 800.872.7245.

 

By Bus:

The Poughkeepsie Loop Bus route CM stops on Mansion Street and North Hamilton Street. From there, the Family Partnership Center is a 3 minute walk.