Welcome

Plain Language Information Statement



Bullying and Self-Conscious Emotion: An Exploration of its Relationship and Context

Principal Researcher: Dr Russell Deighton, Russell.deighton@cairnmillar.edu.au

Student Researcher: Anna Murphy, 1355-14@cairnmillar.edu.au





To Participant:

My name is Anna Murphy and I am conducting research as part of my Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) degree at the Cairnmillar Institute of Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Melbourne, Australia. The study will be conducted under the supervision of Dr Russell Deighton and has received approval from the Cairnmillar Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC; Approval Number: 2016/01355-14)



What is the research project about?

The project explores past childhood experiences and their relationship to adult behaviours, particularly when they relate to feelings of shame. If you are aged 18 years or over, you are eligible to participate, and could make a valuable contribution to the study.



Why is this research being conducted?

This research is being conducted in order to understand further the relationship between early childhood experiences (such as difficulties with peer relationships) and adult behaviours (such as experiences of loneliness). The researchers ask: how are adult problem behaviours influenced by childhood experiences and feelings such as shame?



Why have I been approached?

As the study examines people over the age of 18 years, you have been approached to contribute to the project. This study will ask you to retrospectively report on past experiences, current behaviours and emotions, and hypothetical experiences.



Possible benefits

The information you provide will contribute to the existing research around adult problem behaviours. The research will aim to understand something of how problem behaviours develop, worsen or evolve, informing prevention and intervention strategies.



Possible risks

As the study asks for experiences or responses to hypothetical situations, and no situation specific information is requested, it is unlikely that you will experience distress from completing the survey. If however, you experience distress as a result of your participation you are able to exit the survey at any time and may contact support services or the researchers from the information provided below.

If you feel any distress during or after the study, you can access:



Lifeline

Telephone: 13 11 14

24/7 telephone service



Beyond Blue

Telephone: 1300 224 636

24/7 telephone services



What will happen to the information I provide?

Data collected from your participation will be kept and stored anonymously (subject to legal limitations) for five years after publication. Any identifiable information such as your name will not be requested, and your right to anonymity will be preserved. It is therefore unlikely that you will face any risk of exposure from your response. You may leave the study at any time, and due to the anonymity of the survey this will not impact you negatively and will not lead to any discrimination or penalty for doing so. Please note, that once you click “YES” to continue, any data provide cannot be withdrawn from results due to the anonymity of the data.



Who can I contact if I have any questions?

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 or if you have any concerns regarding this project, please contact the research supervisor or myself 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. All contact details can be found below.



Principal Researcher/Supervisor

Dr Russell Deighton

The Cairnmillar Institute

391/393 Tooronga Rd,

Hawthorn East VIC 3123

Email: Russell.deighton@cairnmillar.edu.au



Secretary to the HREC

The Cairnmillar Institute

991/393 Tooronga Rd,

Hawthorn East VIC 3123

Phone: 03 9813 3400

Email: hrec@cairnmillar.edu.au



If I agree to participate, what will I need to do?

To start, please ensure you have read and understood the above information. You can then select “yes” to continue with your participation. You will then be presented with a number of questions to respond to, which generally takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Please read the instructions at the top of each page, which indicate how to participate effectively.



Thank you for your time,

Anna Murphy

Student Researcher

Email: 1355-14@cairnmillar.edu.au







