Complete brain scans and health tests to help researchers understand family income's effects on child mental health

What is this trial?

This research study is investigating how family income affects children's mental health and immune system function. Researchers are following children whose families participated in a program that gave some families extra monthly money for 3 years, while others received smaller amounts. By measuring brain activity, stress levels, and immune markers in these children, scientists hope to understand exactly how financial stress affects developing brains and whether providing income support can help prevent mental health problems.

Growing up in a lower-income family is known to increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems in children and teens. However, researchers don't fully understand how money stress affects a child's developing brain and immune system, or whether giving families extra income at critical ages could actually prevent these mental health issues. This trial aims to answer those questions so we can better support children from lower-income families.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

your child was between ages 5 and 14 when their parent enrolled in the original Every Dollar Counts income study
your child's biological parent participated in the Every Dollar Counts income supplement program
your biological parent who lives with you is enrolled in the original income study
for brain imaging visits: your family lives within 2 hours of downtown Chicago

You likely don't qualify if…

your child was not between ages 5 and 14 at the start of the Every Dollar Counts program
your parent was not enrolled in the Every Dollar Counts income study
you do not have a biological parent living with you who participated in the original program

What participation looks like

If you're part of the brain imaging portion, you and your parent will visit the research center for appointments where your child will have an MRI brain scan and complete some thinking tasks while in the scanner. You'll also complete questionnaires about family stress, mental health, and wellbeing, and provide a small blood sample to measure immune markers. The study follows up with families 1–2 years and again 3–4 years after the original income program ended, so you may be asked to participate in multiple visits over several years.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 8, 2026 · Not medical advice

How Family Income Affects Child Mental Health and Immune Function

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)