Psychology focus groups

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Jaelyn R. Farris, Youngstown State University psychology assistant professor, is seeking local parents and professionals to participate in focus groups as part of her research project aimed at preventing problems and disorders in local children and adolescents.

The project is part of Farris’ research professorship at YSU.

Next week, Farris will host focus groups so local parents and professionals (anyone who provides any kind of professional services to children, parents or families) can hear about the research and provide feedback. This will be used to provide the foundation for a larger-scale, near-future project in which Farris will offer resources and programs to help youths and prevent them from developing problems or disorders.

For parents: 2 p.m. Sunday or 5 p.m. March 6; for professionals: 5 p.m. Monday or 11 a.m. March 9.

Each session will be in the Lariccia Cultural Collaboratory in Jones Hall on the YSU campus and will last 60 to 90 minutes. Participants will complete brief questionnaires and engage in a group discussion. There is no compensation, but Farris said the event is a great opportunity for parents and professionals to have a voice in the types of community-based programs that can be offered through YSU’s Department of Psychology.

For information, contact Farris at 330-941-3406 or jrfarris@ysu.edu.