From the Pymble Institute

Invitation to participate in research: Social Brain Training for teenagers using an app

A member of staff is seeking young people (13-16) to participate in a study into the social brain. The research is being conducted by the Developmental Affective Science Lab (School of Psychology, University of New South Wales) and the staff member who has made us aware of the research is undertaking studies in psychology with this team.

The research involves the participating student using an app which will give training on emotional regulation. The study takes place out of school time and under parent supervision.

FROM THE RESEARCH TEAM

What is the research about?  

Previous studies have shown that emotion regulation is important for adolescents across emotional, social and cognitive domains of functioning. Existing forms of emotion regulation training have been successful at improving emotion regulation in adults, but uptake in adolescents has been very low. We are investigating whether a novel gamified emotion regulation training is both effective at improving emotion regulation and engaging to young people.  

Who are we looking for to participate in this study. 

Young people who are:

* fluent in English

* aged between 13-16 years

* with no history of traumatic brain injury

* with access to a smart phone and internet.

What is involved in taking part?  

Students who participate will complete 4 study phases across 6-weeks. These include a baseline and post-training assessment, the training itself as well as a follow-up assessment. At the three assessments emotion regulation and mental wellbeing as well as cognitive functioning will be assessed. During the training phase they will train on an app-based emotion regulation training. For completing phases 1-3 students will receive a $50 gift voucher and a $10 bonus voucher will be received for completing phase 4. 

All study components are completed online outside of school time. 

If you would like to find out more in order to discuss participation with your adolescent child, please review the Participant Information Sheet below and Consent Form. Information is also located in the attached poster.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the College Ethics Committee, in addition to the UNSW Ethics Committee.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Dr Sarah Loch, Director – Pymble Institute sloch@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or Ms Jaimee Fischer  jfischer@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au