CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
Project Title: Understanding Physical Activity Habits in Adults with or without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Researcher: Dakota Morales
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Denise Davidson
Introduction:
You are being asked to take part in a research study being conducted by Dakota Morales for a research study under the supervision of Dr. Denise Davidson in the Department of Developmental Psychology at Loyola University Chicago.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to examine the physical activity habits of adults between the ages of 18 and 30 with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) traits. Physical activity and exercise have been shown to be critical to motor and social skill development, stimulation of brain activity, increasing positive mental health as well as reducing poor physical health outcomes. However, as individuals age through the course of adolescence into young adulthood, physical activity rates decrease. In the general population, research has shown that in some young adults this effect is magnified, more specifically in young adults who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits. Individuals with ASD traits may or may not have been diagnosed with ASD.
The primary purpose of the study is to compare adults with and without ASD traits in terms of their physical activity habits and barriers to physical activity in adults between 18 and 30 years of age. Also, of interest, will be to examine how factors such as body-related self-conscious emotions (e.g., body shame, guilt, and pride) and individual motivation play a role in affecting physical activity habits.
Procedure:
Before beginning the study, you will be asked if you would like to participate or not. If you decline, you will not complete the survey, be thanked for your time, and be able to exit. If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to complete a survey that includes the following questionnaires or measures: (1) a general demographic form, (2) the three measures of ASD traits (i.e., SRS-2, AQ-10, BAPQ), (3) a physical activity habits and potential barriers questionnaire, (4) a survey regarding individual motivations towards physical activity, (5) a body-image related emotions questionnaire (6) and their ability to identify and describe emotions and their own feelings on a questionnaire (i.e. Toronto Alexithymia Scale).. Please be sure to avoid responding with any personal information like names or addresses in the questionnaire responses. The survey should take between 30-45 minutes to complete. Once the survey is complete, responses will be automatically sent to the researchers.
Risks/Benefits:
There are no foreseeable risks involved in participating in this research beyond those experienced in everyday life
There are no direct benefits to you from participation, but results and information gathered from this study will help us with future research regarding how to increase physical activity engagement in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Compensation:
Everyone who completes the study has the option of receiving potential compensation by entering a random drawing for $25. Of those leaving their contact information, 1 in every 25 students will win a $25 Visa gift card. The drawing will occur at the end of all data collection. In order to choose a winner, you will be asked to provide your name, email address, and home address should you wish to be entered into the drawing. This information will be asked at the end of the survey and will removed and stored separately from any data responses. The contact information will only be used to be entered into the Visa gift card drawing. If you do not wish to be entered into the drawing, you will not need to provide your contact information.