BU Researchers Seek Families Affected by Marathon Bombing

Boston University researchers are looking for Boston-area parents of children affected by the Boston Marathon bombings for a study on family responses to the attack.

"Very little research has been done about kids affected during traumatic community events," Co-director of the Child Program at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders Jonathan S. Comer, Ph.D., said. "This is a very important opportunity to see how children cope with these events."

Participants of the anonymous online study will be compensated $30 in either an Amazon gift card or the option to donate the money to The One Fund. The survey takes an estimated 40 minutes. 

According to Comer, the survey asks about the reaction and mood of both parents and children the day of the bombings, the week of the manhunt and the present day. 

The research hopes to develop better crisis response methods for parents to help their children cope with what they have seen on television or witnessed first hand Comer said. They also hope to identify what child population needs the most help.

"The mass majority of kid are very resilient and bounce right back right away," he said.  

Researchers are looking for as many parents to participate as possible. At least 400 to 500 are needed.

To participate in the survey click here or manually copy the following link: http://bit.ly/1aqj5QY. There is another survey available here (or by manual link: www.bu.edu/sed/teachersurvey) for teachers that provides a $10 gift card and only takes approximately 20 minutes.

For more information, contact Aubrey Edson at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders Child Program at 617-353-9610 or by email at aedson@bu.edu.