Research Participant Information Sheet
Mindful of Art - Can regular digital art creation boost mental health?
You are being invited to take part in a student research study. Before you decide, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Please visit our website or contact us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part.
Thank you for reading this.
What is the purpose of the study?
Art as a means of supporting mental wellbeing has seen recent advances in scientific support and improvements in accessibility. This is welcoming news especially with the urgent need for self-help tools brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to test a new eight-week digital art wellness program (created by Mindful of Art) and its effectiveness as a supporting tool for mental health. Findings from this study can provide insight into how accessibility for art-based wellness practices can be improved.
Do I have to take part?
As participation is entirely voluntary, it is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. You are encouraged to take part in this study even if you have no artistic experience. If you do decide to take part, you will be encouraged to complete the entire program, but you are free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. There will also be no consequences for withdrawing from the program at any time. You are also free to skip any survey questions you are not comfortable answering, though you will be encouraged to answer as many questions as possible.
What will happen to me and what will I have to do if I take part?
If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to complete guided digital art sessions, twice a week, for eight weeks. You will also be asked to complete weekly surveys on your mood (anxiety levels, emotions, and mental flow). Your responses to these questions will not be connected to your identity. No personal information will be asked for on any required questions.
During the program, materials to be completed will be released to you on a weekly basis. You may choose when to complete each of the two sessions every week, but you will complete each weekly survey right after you have finished the last session of the week. There will be an additional survey asking some questions about yourself before and after the program.
Participation in this study is expected to require a weekly commitment of around 30 minutes to one hour for eight weeks. The program and all surveys will be conducted completely online. A computer (not a mobile device) and reliable Internet access is required. You are encouraged to do these sessions alone in a relaxing environment.
Participants in this study will be asked questions of varying intensity on their mental health and anxiety levels. If at any point during the study you feel uncomfortable, you are encouraged to take a break from the study's tasks, or to seek support if you feel that you need help. If you wish to seek support, visit mind.org.uk for information about mental health services and networks, or visit samaritans.org if you need more immediate support.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
This research study aims to test whether this digital art program can improve mental health and anxiety levels. These benefits are currently being studied and not guaranteed.
You will also be entered into a lottery with all other participants for a chance to win a £50 voucher.
Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?
All information collected about you during the study will be kept strictly confidential. You will be assigned a unique identification number so that your name and personal information cannot be connected to your data. Refer to the General Data Protection Regulation document for more information: LINK
Your email address will be collected and strictly used to contact you with task reminders, program updates, and information about the end-of-study lottery. Your email address will not be stored alongside your study data.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results of this project will be used for a postgraduate project for the following programme at Goldsmiths, University of London: MSc Psychology of the Arts, Neuroaesthetics, and Creativity. Information collected on participants will not be individually identifiable in any publications.
Research Integrity
This study has been reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics and Integrity Sub-Committee at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Goldsmiths, University of London, is committed to compliance with the Universities UK Research Integrity Concordat. You are entitled to expect the highest level of integrity from our researchers during the course of their research.
Contact for Further Information and Complaints
For questions about the study, please contact one of the following.
Minu Choi (Researcher): mchoi003@gold.ac.uk
Rebecca Chamberlain (Supervisor): r.chamberlain@gold.ac.uk
For concerns or complaints about participation experience, please contact Rebecca Chamberlain or one of the following:
Daniel Mullensiefen (Ethics Committee Chair): d.mullensiefen@gold.ac.uk
Guido Orgs (co-Head of Department): g.orgs@gold.ac.uk
José van Velzen (co-Head of Department): j.vanvelzen@gold.ac.uk
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