Evaluating Mindfulness Capacities and Problem Eating Behaviours: Psychological Inflexibility and Emotion Dysregulation.
Principal Researcher:Kelly Watt-McMahon, Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer, Cairnmillar Institute.
Student Researcher: Nicole Perilli, Masters Student (Clinical Psychology), Cairnmillar Institute.
To Participant:
This is an invitation for you to take part in this research project, Mindfulness Capacities and Problem Eating Behaviours. Like you, all participants in this study have been recruited through advertising on Internet or a tertiary study campus.
This Participant Information tells you about the research project. Knowing what is involved will help you decide if you want to take part.
Please read this information carefully. Ask questions about anything that you don’t understand or want to know more about. If you are unsure, you might want to talk about it with someone.
Participation in this research is voluntary. If you don’t want to take part, then you don’t have to. By clicking the button ‘Begin Survey’ you are consenting to take part in the research project and acknowledging that you:
· Understand what you have read
· Consent to taking part in the research project
· Consent to having the tests and research that are described, and
· Consent to the use of your personal and health information as described.
Why is this research being conducted?
The aim of the Mindfulness Capacities and Problem Eating Behaviours project is to determine how certain psychological capacities that allow us to be mindful and use mindfulness effectively might affect eating disorder behaviours. Currently, there is limited research in Australia that looks at mindfulness and eating disorders. The research findings in this study may contribute to improving psychological treatments for eating pathology.
This research has been initiated by Kelly Watt-McMahon, Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at The Cairnmillar Institute and a Master of Clinical Psychology Student from The Cairnmillar Institute will contribute to the study.
Why have I been approached?
You have been approached because you are a female aged between 18-60, from the general population.
Possible benefits
We cannot guarantee or promise that participants will receive any direct benefits from this research, however possible benefits from participating in this project may include the opportunity to reflect on such things as mindfulness and issues of body image. It is the case, however, that the information gathered in the study might guide improvements in the treatment of problematic eating behaviours, in terms of including mindfulness as a way to increase abilities to manage emotions and therefore decrease the severity of eating disorders.
Possible risks
If you become upset or distressed as a result of participation in this research, you’re strongly encouraged to contact one of the helpline numbers included at the end of this document.
Who I can contact if I have any questions?
If you would like to speak with someone about the survey after you have completed it, you can contact the Secretary to the Human Research Ethics Committee (contact details at the end of this document).
Alternatively, if you find the survey distressing, or want to seek treatment for your problems with eating behaviours, you can find contact details of support services at the end of this information sheet.
If I agree to participate, what will I need to do?
By beginning this survey, you are giving consent to participate in this project and saying that you have read and understood this information. Participation involves completing a survey and giving consent to us accessing information from it. The information we would access is about problematic eating behaviours and your ability to regulate your emotions. Completing the survey will take between 10 to 20 minutes. The information collected will not be shared to the public. You will remain anonymous in the information that is collected.
How do I get started?
Firstly you must respond ‘YES’ to the “Question do you consent to participating in this research?” Then click the ‘CONTINUE’ button to begin the survey.
What will happen to the information I provide?
All responses will be kept confidential and secured on a password protected computer. Only the Principal Researcher and their research team will have access to the data. The information collected will be presented as part of a thesis, and potentially be published in journal articles or conference papers. The final report will have no identifying information due to the anonymous nature of the survey. The data will be kept protected, with no plans to destroy it. This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at The Cairnmillar Institute and will comply with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, 2007).
If you would like further information regarding this study, if you have any concerns regarding this project please contact the principal researcher ([email protected]) at any time. If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about your rights as a research participant, then you may also contact the Secretary to the Human Research Ethics Committee (contact details can be found below).
Secretary to the HREC
The Cairnmillar Institute
391-393 Tooronga Road
Hawthorn East VIC 3123
Phone: 03 9813 3400
Email: [email protected]
Support Services for Eating Disorders
VICTORIA
Eating Disorders Victoria
https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/need-help/
1300 550 236
Butterfly Foundation
https://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/
1800 334 673
Family Relationships Advice Line
https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line
1800 050 321
OUTSIDE VICTORIA
National Eating Disorder Collaboration
https://www.nedc.com.au/
(02) 9412 4499