Question 1

Video for Parents

Question 2

What is this study?

Accepted Answer

This study is a collaboration between Boston University researchers and the Medway Public Schools mental health team. It aims to support families of students who may be experiencing anxiety-related school attendance difficulties.

Question 3

Who is eligble for the study?

Accepted Answer

Families may be eligible if:Their child scores 8 or higher on the GAD-7 during routine district screening, indicating elevated anxiety risk; orTheir child is identified as at risk for chronic absenteeism due to emotional reasons (e.g., missing three or more days within a ten-day period); andThe caregiver is comfortable communicating in English.

Question 4

What will families be doing in the study?

Accepted Answer

Parents will:Learn how anxiety can contribute to school avoidance and absenteeism.Learn skills to help children gradually overcome anxiety-related barriers to school attendance.Complete questionnaires at approximately 2, 4, and 8 weeks.

Question 5

What are the benefits of this study?

Accepted Answer

The study seeks to strengthen parent involvement in supporting students with anxiety-related attendance difficulties. By equipping parents with evidence-based skills, the intervention may complement existing school supports and reduce the burden on school personnel.

Question 6

How is AI being used?

Accepted Answer

The AI component is provided through Pausepoint Health, a trusted provider already used within Medway Public Schools. AI interactions are limited to intervention-relevant content and are monitored regularly by the research team to ensure fidelity and safety.

Question 7

Is participant information confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Multiple safeguards are in place:Data are stored on secure Boston University servers.Participants are assigned study ID numbers.Identifying information is stored separately from research data.Only authorized study personnel have access to identifiable data.All personnel complete confidentiality and HIPAA training.Qualtrics and Zoom are used in HIPAA-compliant configurations.Data are de-identified as soon as possible.

Question 8

What privacy protections does the AI platform provide?

Accepted Answer

Pausepoint Health complies with applicable privacy regulations, including FERPA and COPPA. The platform:Restricts users to their own information.Encrypts data during transmission.Uses secure identity and access management controls.Stores data using Firebase infrastructure that meets major security and privacy standards, including ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, and SOC compliance frameworks.

Question 9

Will schools have access to family responses?

Accepted Answer

No. Individual questionnaire responses and study data are not shared with schools.

Question 10

What if families or staff have additional questions?

Accepted Answer

Please direct all questions to the study team at leafteam@bu.edu.

Frequently asked questions