Research team contacts
Dr Jennifer Connolly, School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT
Christopher Cahill, School of Psychology and Counselling, QUT
What is the purpose of this research?
This study aims to test if an online session focused on building motivation can help young people, aged 7 to 17, complete more sessions of the Momentum program. Past research has shown that the more of an online program people complete, the more improvement they will see. This study tests if participants who are randomly allocated to receive the motivation session complete more sessions of Momentum and have lower anxiety levels at the end than participants who do not receive it.
Are you looking for people like me?
We are seeking young people aged 7 to 17 years who are experiencing elevated levels of anxiety.
Young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or psychosis are ineligible to participate as the program cannot provide the additional monitoring or support these groups may need.
What will you ask me to do?
First, you will visit Momentum and complete the registration and consent process, taking about 15 minutes. You will then complete the Momentum assessment which will determine your eligibility and which Momentum program is best for you. This takes about 30 minutes to complete.
If you are experiencing elevated levels of anxiety you will be invited to take part in the current study. There will be a few more assessments to complete taking around 10 minutes. Once these are done, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One of these groups receives the usual seven session Momentum Anxiety program. The other group receives the same seven sessions but with an additional session at the start that focuses on using mental imagery to build motivation to engage with the program.
Completing each session will take about 30-60 minutes. You are encouraged to complete at least one session per week, however you can work at a pace that suits you.
You will be contacted for check-up assessments three and six months after joining the study to check in with how you are going. These check-ups will take about 15 minutes to complete. You will receive a $25 virtual gift voucher for each check-up that you do.
Are there any risks for me in taking part?
There is a risk that answering some of the questions may make you feel upset, or that information you find out from the online assessment may cause some challenges. It is also possible that you might find some parts of the program or questions hard to follow, or that participating may feel burdensome for you or your parent/guardian. You are free to seek assistance from professionals outside of the program. If additional support is required we suggest speaking to a family doctor for guidance on finding appropriate support. You are welcome to work through the program at a pace that is comfortable for you and are free to stop the program or drop out of the study at any time if you choose to.
Are there any benefits for me in taking part?
The chance to review your progress by completing the follow-up assessments and getting feedback on the results, including how they compare to the start.
Will I be compensated for my time?
You will receive a $25 virtual gift voucher for each check-up assessment completed.
I am interested - what should I do next?
QUT Ethics Number: 4518- HE31