Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Thank you so much for your participation in the Happiness and Health Study. Below are some answers to a few of our most
frequently asked questions.
The H&H Study started in 2013 by inviting over 3,300 9th graders across 10 LA public high schools and aims to understand why some adolescents and young adults use tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs, and why some do not. To do so, we collected information on a range of health factors including concern for social issues, social and emotional health, social and digital media use, substance use, and more. H&H is currently approaching its 12th wave of data collection as of 2021.
In 2013, the H&H Study invited you and over 3,300 other 9th grade peers from 10 public LA high schools to participate every semester. After graduating high school, you will continue to be invited to take the online survey every 6 months. You may choose to participate or not each time. However, your participation provides insight on important trends such as improving health, supporting at-risk youth, and breaking down stereotypes, which have created opportunities for policy makers and educators to better understand young people and provide them with greater support.
The average time to complete the survey is around 40-60 minutes, but it can vary person to person, depending on how you answer the questions.
By participating, you play an active part in a longitudinal cohort study that directly impacts change in schools and communities across California and the US for adolescent and young adult health.
Your answers will not be shared with anyone and are protected by law. They will not be connected to your name, only to a record number.
If any question does make you feel uncomfortable, you can skip it. When we do share results from this survey we will talk about general trends. We will say things like “most participants reported this” or “only a few participants reported that.” No one will know how you answered any one question.
Along with making a major contribution to learning about the health of young adults across Southern California, you also receive a $60 gift card for each completed survey as a thank you from the H&H research team!
For more information, feel free to explore our H&H Study tab on this website. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at hhstudy@usc.edu or call/text us at (323)-380-9151.
potentially don’t put this
