At YDDC, we are committed to investigating young people in the
complex ecosystem in which they live. We investigate not only
environmental factors and social stressors, but internal emotional and
biological reactions to these factors. Analysis of biological variables
along with socio-emotional ones allows us to examine the pathways by
which life experiences affect health and development. Such study
requires precise equipment to assure the highest quality data.
Our
current study focuses on collects sleep and physical activity data on
adolescent participants. To collect this data, participants wear
Motionlogger Microwatches for two weeks. Motionlogger bands are
considered the highest quality of actigraphy monitors on the market.
They have been validated for clinical and research purposes and have are
reliable when compared to polysomnography. The output from these bands
provides rich data about participants' daily cycles of sleep and
wakefulness.
We have also begun a smaller laboratory based study
on the stress reactions to young people to various hypothetical
situations. We use a clinical grade blood pressure monitor to measure
the reactivity in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as
changes in pulse. Examination of such variables provides insight into
how stress, both racial and generalized, may affect health by inducing a
state of higher physiological arousal. The equipment is also used to
test how long this state of arousal may last. Those who remain in a
state of hyperarousal longer after the offset of stress may be at higher
risk for negative outcomes.
