1. Am I Eligible to Participate?

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the below requirements and are relatively healthy. To take our eligibility survey, click HERE.

  • Age 25-60 years old

  • Unemployed or work less than 20 hours a week

  • Experiencing stress over employment status

  • Have regular access to a mobile phone

2. Who can I contact for more information?

Please reach out with any questions and/or concerns at bass@unc.edu or (919) 590-4116.

If you have questions about your rights as a participant, please contact the Institutional Review Board at 919-966-3113 or by email to IRB_subjects@unc.edu.

3. WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH?

Psychology research is research that asks questions about people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Typically, psychology researchers identify a question, come up with hypotheses, design a study, collect and analyze data, and then share their findings with the scientific and broader community.

4. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT?

Before they can begin, all psychology studies must receive approval from an Institutional Review Board of experts who review the study to make sure it is safe, ethical, and scientifically sound. The purpose of this board is to protect your rights and welfare. Researchers are required by law to explain the benefits and risks of participation in a way that is simple to understand. This is called informed consent. As a research participant, you are entitled to informed consent. Additionally, you are entitled to withdraw your consent at any time and for any reason.

6. HOW WILL I BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATING?

While you may not directly benefit from participating in this study, the scientific community will benefit by learning more about the role of the brain and body in emotion.

7. WILL I RECEIVE ANYTHING IF I PARTICIPATE?

You will receive compensation up to $255 for participating.

8. Will my health be affected? What are the possible side effects?

Minocycline is a tetracycline-class, FDA-approved antibiotic drug commonly used to treat acne. The potential side effects include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue and light-headedness. Participants will also be encouraged to wear sunscreen due to the potential of increased photosensitivity. Any unexpected side effects will be closely monitored for by our study doctor.

9. WHAT IF I WANT TO STOP PARTICIPATING?

You can withdraw from this study at any time and for any reason without penalty. The investigators also have the right to stop your participation at any time. If you end your participation early, you will still receive compensation for your time and effort.

10. WILL IT COST ANYTHING TO PARTICIPATE?

It will not cost you anything to be in this study. 

11. WHO HAS ACCESS TO MY DATA?

Your identifiable data (e.g., name, email, phone number, etc.) will only be viewed by research personnel. Privacy and confidentiality will be maintained through the de-identification of all data (this means that we will remove any information that could identify data as belonging to you). Anonymized data may be stored in an open-access data repository where it will be stored indefinitely, and anyone (including individuals outside of our research team) will be able to download it for future research.

12. WHO IS SPONSORING THIS STUDY?

This research is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The University of North Carolina. This means that the research team is being paid by the sponsor for doing the study. The researchers do not, however, have a direct financial interest with the sponsor or in the final results of the study.

If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject, or if you would like to obtain information or offer input, you may contact the Institutional Review Board at UNC-Chapel Hill by emailing IRB_subjects@unc.edu or by calling (919) 966-3113.