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Northwestern University and Understood “ADHD Unstuck” Study FAQ

  • Understood is a leading nonprofit empowering people with learning and thinking differences, estimated at almost 70 million individuals in the United States.

  • Understood provides free resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive — in school, at work, and throughout life.

  • Our research partner, the Lab for Scalable Mental Health (LSMH) at Northwestern University, designs, tests, and provides brief, barrier-free interventions to reduce mental health problems at scale.

  • To date, the Lab has served over 40,000 teens, young adults, and parents through its single-session interventions.

  • The study is designed to look at the effects of using a self-guided activity, ADHD Unstuck, on women with symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and concerns around mood or anxiety.

  • Specifically, the purpose of this study is to learn about the acceptability, usability, and effectiveness of ADHD Unstuck.

  • ADHD Unstuck introduces participants to new ways of thinking and skills to help manage mood or anxiety through planning valued activities that could improve mental health.

The study is delivered through Understood’s online platform and Qualtrics, a web-based platform used for data collection.

The results of the study will be used to: 

  • Help LSMH and Understood continue to improve offerings for individuals with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, language disorders, and written expression disorders

  • Increase inclusivity and the reach of these types of activities in the future for women with ADHD

  • The study asks participants to complete a screener, pre- and post-survey, self-guided activity, and a follow-up survey.

  • The first component of the study, which includes the pre- and post-survey and self-guided activity, takes about 40 to 60 minutes to complete.

  • The second component of the study, which includes only the follow-up survey, takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

  • The survey is completed online using Qualtrics with the self-guided activity embedded in the survey.

  • The survey asks participants about:

    • Basic demographic information

    • Reflections on symptoms of ADHD, mood, and anxiety

    • Experiences with ADHD Unstuck

    • General mental health

  • The pre- and post-survey takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

  • ADHD Unstuck focuses on:

    • Supporting participants in identifying how actions can affect mood

    • Creating mental health goals targeted toward a participant’s needs

  • The self-guided activity takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

  • The survey is completed online using Qualtrics.

  • The survey asks participants about:

    • Reflections on symptoms of ADHD

    • General mental health

  • The follow-up survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

  • All text, audio, or visual material created in connection with the study and all suggestions, ideas, reactions, comments, or other feedback you provide become property of LSMH and Understood upon creation or submission.

  • It’s important for LSMH and Understood to determine how participating in SSIs could affect the mental health of women with symptoms of ADHD and concerns around mood or anxiety.

  • With this information, LSMH and Understood may be able to expand the scale of self-guided activities to include additional topics and resources to better serve women with ADHD.

  • Also, participants may experience well-being through the opportunity to learn new things and may share those ideas with others.

Given that the focus of the study is mental health, it’s possible that you may feel some discomfort when completing parts of the study.

  • However, participation is voluntary. You may choose not to participate.

  • You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

  • There is no penalty if you choose not to participate or if you withdraw from the study, and the support you receive from LSMH or Understood will not be affected.

Yes! As a thank-you, participants who complete all components of the study will receive $20.

  • You will be compensated with a $10 gift card for completing the initial pre- and post-survey and self-guided activity.

  • If you complete the follow-up survey, you will receive an additional $10 gift card for your time.

  • Data collection will take place with 100 women with symptoms of ADHD and concerns around mood or anxiety.

  • Beginning in October 2025 and ending in November 2025.

  • Records from the study that identify you will be maintained as confidential.

  • In the event of any publication or presentation resulting from the research or of any other external use of information from the study, your name or other personally identifiable information will be removed.

The study uses Understood’s online platform and Qualtrics, a web-based platform used for data collection. Please see the linked privacy policies for additional information.

  • For more information, please email Dr. Juan Pablo Zapata (juan.zapata@northwestern.edu) and mention the study: A Pilot Trial of Digital Single-Session Interventions (SSIs) for Mood Concerns or Anxiety in Women with ADHD, IRB STU00224431

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