Unwinding From Work Study

Information Sheet

This study aims to explore whether colouring has an impact on well-being for adults.

Whilst adult colouring books have soared in popularity over recent months, there is yet to be any research examining their impact.

This study will aim to fill this research gap.

Procedures

If you wish to take part, you will complete a set of questionnaires online to assess your suitability for the study. If suitable, you will be allocated to one of two groups for comparison purposes.

The first group will complete a set of questionnaires online, which will not take longer than 15 minutes. They will be asked to carry on with their activities as normal, and will then complete another set of questionnaires after two weeks, again estimated to take no longer than 15 minutes.

The second group of participants will also be asked to complete a set of questionnaires online, estimated to take no longer than 15 minutes. The second group will be provided with a colouring book and pencils. They will be asked to spend a minimum of 20 minutes colouring at the end of each work day, at least four times a week, for two weeks. It does not matter what order the colouring sheets are coloured in, or whether they are completed. Once this colouring has been completed, participants will be asked to complete another set of questionnaires estimated to take no longer than 15 minutes.

Due to the distribution of the colouring books and colouring pencils, participants will be asked to supply an address the book and pencils can be sent to. Please note that this does not impact the confidentiality of your responses to the survey.

Risks/Discomforts

Risks are minimal for involvement in this study. However, some questions are related to well-being which may make some individual's feel emotionally uneasy, although this is not anticipated.

This study has received favourable ethical approval from the University of Surrey Ethics Committee.

Benefits

Whilst there may be some benefits of colouring for adults, these are yet to be established. It is hoped that through your participation, researchers will learn more about the possible benefits of colouring for adults.

Confidentiality

All data obtained from participants will be kept confidential and will only be reported in an aggregate format (by reporting only combined results and never reporting individual ones). All completed questionnaires will be concealed, and no one other than then primary investigator and the project supervisor will have access to them.

Compensation

There is no direct compensation, however, all participants will be entered into a draw to win one of eight adult colouring books.

Participation

Participation in this research study is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw at anytime or refuse to participate entirely. If you desire to withdraw, please close your Internet browser and notify the principal investigator (Lauren Mulvaney) at this email: lm00210@surrey.ac.uk.

Questions about the Research

If you have questions regarding this study, you may contact Lauren Mulvaney at lm00210@surrey.ac.uk.

Questions about your Rights as Research Participants

If you have questions you do not feel comfortable asking the researcher, you may contact the project supervisor, Professor Mark Cropley at mark.cropley@surrey.ac.uk.