Title: Promoting Body Appreciation in Female Cancer Survivors 

Student Researcher
Miss Elizabeta Brkic 
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University 
Email: brki0003@flinders.edu.au

Supervisors 
Associate Professor Lisa Beatty
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University 
Email: lisa.beatty@flinders.edu.au

Associate Professor Ivanka Prichard 
College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University 
Email: ivanka.prichard@flinders.edu.au

Other persons involved in this study
Mr Tony Daly
Research Manager, Cancer Council, SA
Email: Tdaly@cancersa.org.au

Description of the study   
This study is part of the project titled, ‘Promoting Body Appreciation in Female Cancer Survivors’. This project will investigate whether body appreciation, functionality appreciation, self-compassion, and distress can be targeted and improved via body image writing interventions. Participants in this study must be female cancer survivors aged 18+ years. This project is supported by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Flinders University. 

Purpose of the study   
This project aims to investigate the impact of two writing interventions, known as ‘My Changed Body, and ‘Expand Your Horizon’, and a neutral writing control, on body appreciation, functionality appreciation, self-compassion, and distress among female cancer survivors.

Benefits of the study
Participants may experience an increase in body appreciation, which also may lead to a decrease in distress. These effects would result in an increase in overall wellbeing for the participant. This study will also fill a current gap in research regarding how two different writing interventions help cancer survivors to manage their body image distress. If successful, this research would diversify the range of interventions available for female cancer survivors, and provide important information regarding which intervention is best tailored to target different aspects of body image distress.


Participant involvement and potential risks
If you agree to participate in the research study, you will be asked to complete some questionnaires and answer writing prompts. You will first be asked to complete a baseline questionnaire. The questionnaire items will ask for some personal information regarding your cancer, body image and distress. Example questions include “I couldn’t seem to experience any positive feeling at all” and “I am comfortable in my body”. You will then be randomly allocated to one of three groups, and will be asked to complete one 30-minute writing session. To allow for the easy completion of the writing task, it is recommended that a laptop or PC device are used. Therapeutic writing exercises have shown to benefit wellbeing in various populations, including the general population and cancer populations. Immediately after you finish writing, you’ll be asked to complete a brief questionnaire, then one-week and two-weeks later you will be asked to complete a short follow-up survey, which includes similar items to the original questionnaire. Participation is entirely voluntary. The study will take approximately 40-50 minutes in total to complete (including the writing session).      
 
The researchers anticipate few risks from your involvement in this study. There is no obligation to take part in this research. You are entirely free to discontinue your participation at any time or to decline to answer particular questions.  Participants will be asked to reflect on their feelings, which could raise some concerns. If any of the items raise any issues that you would like to discuss please contact Cancer Council SA (13 11 20) or Lifeline Australia (13 11 14) for support and counselling that may be accessed free of charge by all participants.  

 

Withdrawal Rights
You may, without any penalty, decline to take part in this research study. If you decide to take part and later change your mind, you may, without any penalty, withdraw at any time without providing an explanation. To withdraw, please contact the Chief Investigator. Any data collected up to the point of your withdrawal will be securely destroyed.
     
Confidentiality and Privacy
Only the researchers, Elizabeta Brkic, Lisa Beatty, and Ivanka Prichard, will have access to the individual information provided by you. Privacy and confidentiality will be assured at all times. The research outcomes may be presented at conferences, written up for publication or used for other research purposes as described in this information form. However, the privacy and confidentiality of individuals will be protected at all times. The only identifiable data required from participants is their email and phone number. Participants will sign up to the study with their email and receive an email and text message with the link to the follow up surveys. The participants responses will be linked to their email in the researcher’s database, which will be stored electronically on a password protected university server. Only a word count will be taken from the writing tasks. You will not be named, and your individual information will not be identifiable in any research products without your explicit consent.

No data, including identifiable, non-identifiable and de-identified datasets, will be shared or used in future research projects without your explicit consent.

Data Storage
The information collected may be stored securely on a password protected computer and/or Flinders University server throughout the study. Any identifiable data will be de-identified for data storage purposes unless indicated otherwise. All data will be securely transferred to and stored at Flinders University for fifteen years after publication of the results. Following the required data storage period, all data will be securely destroyed according to university protocols.

Consent statement & how to participate
If you are a female cancer survivor aged 18+ and would like to participate, please consent to participate by clicking ‘next.’ below. By clicking next, you agree that you have read the information provided, give consent to participate and understand that:     

• You can contact the research team if you have any further questions about this research study.
• Participation is entirely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw from the project at any time; and are free to decline to answer particular questions.  
• While the information gained in this study will be published as explained, your participation will be anonymous, and your individual information will remain confidential. 
• You can contact the Flinders University’s Research Ethics & Compliance Office if you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this study.

Recognition of Contribution / Time
If you would like to participate, in recognition of your contribution and participation time, you will be entered into the draw for one of four $25.00 gift vouchers.

How will I receive feedback?   
Should you wish to receive information on the outcomes of this study, please contact one/all of the researchers (brki0003@flinders.edu.au; ivanka.prichard@flinders.edu.au; lisa.beatty@flinders.edu.au) who will provide you with a summary of the results upon the study’s completion. 
    
Thank you for taking the time to read this information sheet, and we hope that you will accept our invitation to be involved. 
      
This research project has been approved by the Flinders University Human Research Ethics Committee in South Australia (Project number 6261). For queries regarding the ethics approval of this project please contact the Executive Officer of the Committee via telephone on +61 8 8201 2255 or email human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au