Parental Stress & Self-Compassion Survey

Title of Research: The Association Between Parental Stress and Self-Compassion for Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Principle Investigator: Gillian Pollpeter, M.S. 
Research Supervisor: Shanna Thomsen, Psy.D.

Institutional Contact: Human Subjects Review Committee

Introduction and Purpose of Study 

I would appreciate your assistance with this research project regarding self-compassion and  stress for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The results of this study will be used in the completion of a dissertation. This research will help understand the association between self-compassionate behavior, stress of parenting, and how having a child with ASD influences those factors. As this is a unique perspective on caregiver stress, your participation would be helpful in advancing future research and interventions. 

Description of Research 

If you decide to enter into the research, you will be asked to complete two questionnaires. Each questionnaire should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, resulting in about 15-20 minutes total. Due to the flexibility of the questionnaires, you are able to complete them at a time, speed, and place that is most convenient to you. All responses will be anonymous; your name will not appear anywhere on the questionnaire results. Completing the questionnaires will constitute your consent to participate. If you do not wish to participate, simply exit out of the browser. At any time during the survey if you no longer wish to participate, simply exit out of the browser. However, once responses are submitted they cannot be deleted due to the anonymity of the study. 

Subject Participation 

There are two ways in which you may qualify to participate in this study. 

1. You have one child under your care with a diagnosis of ASD. You may have more than one child under your care, however, only one may have a diagnosis of ASD. Your child with ASD must be under the age of 18 years. 
2. You have at least one child under your care with no mental health diagnoses (ie., ASD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), or a physical disability. You may have more than one child under your care, however, none of the children may have a mental health diagnosis or physical disability. Your child must be under the age of 18 years. 

All participants must be residing in the U.S. 

Potential Risks and Discomforts 

There may be more than minimal risks or discomfort in participating in this study. All information will be obtained anonymously through an encrypted website and data will be stored on a password protected document in the care of the primary investigator, although there is risk to potential loss of confidentiality. It is possible that you may experience some discomfort when responding to the presented questions. If needed, you can contact the investigator or the supervisor of the study and identify yourself as a participant with the contact information presented above. By doing so, you will be waiving your right of confidentiality to the researchers; however, this information will continue to be confidential and will not be shared. Although you may not be directly compensated, your completion of the survey will help to inform the field of psychology with empirical knowledge regarding the association between self-compassion and stress, specifically for caregivers of children with ASD. 

Potential Benefits 

Following completion of the study, you will be provided with an opportunity to enter into a drawing for a chance to win a $100.00 gift card, please click on the presented weblink where you will be directed to enter your preferred contact information. Winners will be notified following the complete collection of data. By providing an email address, you will identify yourself as a participant of the study; however, your responses to the questionnaires will remain unknown. Your email address will not be able to be linked with your responses to the questionnaires. 

You are welcome to copy this letter for your records. If you have any questions regarding the research or wish to receive results following the data collection, contact the researchers provided above. 

Thank you for your help, 

Gillian Pollpeter, M.S. 
Doctoral Candidate
Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology