Australian Catholic University
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Australian Catholic University Limited
ABN 15 050 192 660
Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s)
115 Victoria Parade Fitzroy Vic 3065
Locked Bag 4115 Fitzroy MCD VIC 3065
Telephone 03 9953 3000
Facsimile 03 9953 3005
www.acu.edu.au

INFORMATION LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS

TITLE OF PROJECT: Health of parents raising a child with a disability: Affect, help-seeking, spirituality, and coping.
STAFF SUPERVISOR: Professor Barry Fallon
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Aaron Allen
COURSE: Doctorate of Clinical Psychology

Dear Participant,

You are invited to participate in some research on the health of parents raising a child with a disability. The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper insight into the lives of parents raising a child with a disability. The current research seeks to better understand the variations in parental responses to raising a child with a disability. The research seeks to examine not only how parents cope with raising their child (which presumes that parents necessarily struggle to effectively manage their situations) but also how they flourish and grow.

Information from questionnaires like this will help other families who are trying to cope with the added difficulties that a child with a disability gives rise to. This information will also help professional counsellors and psychologists working with parents who are experiencing problems in these areas.

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire, which includes some questions where you rate the degree to which you agree or disagree to various statements. The topics covered in the questionnaire include your state of well being, help-seeking, coping processes and your spirituality. The questionnaire will take approximately 40 minutes to complete. You are requested to complete the same questionnaire approximately 6 months from now. Should you wish to complete the questionnaire at this time only, we would still be grateful for your support, and welcome your input.

Each parent/partner is asked to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire is strictly confidential and anonymous, and your name should not be included. The questionnaire will operate through a secure website with restricted access, thus ensuring your anonymity. No other person other than the researcher will have access to your questionnaire. The questionnaire can be completed at home, preferably when there will be little distraction.

Participation in this research is entirely voluntary. You are under no obligation to complete the questionnaire once you have started. At any time you may withdraw from completing or submitting the questionnaire. If some questions are too difficult, they may be skipped. While a completed questionnaire is of most benefit to the researcher, any information gained is beneficial.

The submission of your questionnaire implies that your consent is given for the researcher to use the information you have supplied. Please note, that this study may be published in a scholarly journal and any specific identifying information will be removed or changed (such as your child’s age or disability, etc.) Please remember that you are free to discontinue participation in the project at any time.

Any questions you may have regarding this project can be directed to either the researcher, Aaron Allen, or the supervisor, Prof. Barry Fallon of the School of Psychology (03) 9953 3205.

Should you wish to seek professional help as a result of if your participation in this research has raised issues for you and you with to obtain professional support, please feel free to contact Dr Terry Bowles, senior lecturer and clinical psychologist at ACU, Melbourne (ph: 9953 3117). Alternatively you may wish to contact Parent Line (Counselling, information and referral service for parents) on 13 22 89.

This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Australian Catholic University. In the event that you have any complaint or concern about the way you have been treated during the study, or if you have any query that the Student Researcher and Staff Supervisor have not been able to satisfy, you may write to:
Chair, Human Research Ethics Committee
C/o Research Services
Australian Catholic University
Locked Bag 4115
FITZROY VIC 3065 Tel: 03 9953 3157 Fax: 03 9953 3315

Any complaint will be treated in confidence and fully investigated fully. The participant will be informed of the outcome.

Thank you very much for your support and cooperation. It is greatly appreciated.