SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY
PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT

Full Project Title: Personality, Motivational Factors, and Prescriptions

Principal Researcher: Associate Professor Petra Staiger

Student Researcher: Bonnie Albrecht

Associate Researcher(s): Dr Kate Hall, Dr Nicolas Kambouropoulos

My name is Bonnie Albrecht, and I am doing research under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Petra Staiger, the Associate Head of School (Research) in the School of Psychology, towards a Doctor of Psychology (Forensic) at Deakin University.

The aim of this research to explore the relationship between personality and prescription use. The related findings may have potential benefits for prescribing practices and substance dependence treatment.

I would like to invite people who are 18 years old or over and are currently using, or have used in the past 12 months, prescription or non-prescription benzodiazepines (i.e., Valium, Xanax) to participate in my study. The questionnaire takes 30-45 minutes to complete. No identifying information is sought, and therefore all data will be anonymous. If you agree to participate, you can withdraw at any time before submitting the final questionnaire, and you may choose not to answer all the questions. Not participating in this research will not disadvantage you in any way. Withdrawal from this project will not be possible once the questionnaire has been submitted as it is anonymous and so we cannot track your completed questionnaire. Completing the questionnaire implies consent.

Participants will be asked to identify whether they agree with statements such as “I crave excitement and new sensations” and “I worry about making mistakes,” as well as providing information about the frequency of their prescription use. All surveys will be kept for at least seven years, then destroyed. This project has been approved by a human ethics panel at Deakin University.

Participants who complete the questionnaire are eligible to enter their name into a draw with the potential of winning one of six $50.00 Coles-Myer vouchers. Names are kept separate to the questionnaire and are destroyed after the prize is drawn.

Should you have any concerns regarding your own illicit or pharmaceutical substance use levels, please contact DirectLine on 1800 888 236. If you have any queries or would like to be informed of the aggregate research finding, please contact:

Bonnie Albrecht 
Assoc. Prof. Petra Staiger
Email: balbrech@deakin.edu.au
Address: School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood Campus, 3125

Complaints
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 contact: The Manager, Research Integrity, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood Victoria 3125, Telephone: 9251 7129, Facsimile: 9244 6581; research-ethics@deakin.edu.au

If you wish to take part in this research please click the following button to indicate that you have read and understood the terms of the plain language statement and agree to participate. Pressing the Submit button at the conclusion of the questionnaire will indicate your consent. To maintain anonymity, please ensure that you do not attach your name or any other information that could identify you when you submit your completed questionnaire.