Dr Dara Sampson
School of Medicine and Public Health
The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2298
Ph: (02) 4055 3209
Information Statement for Online Survey
Study Title: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Support Psychological Well-Being
Document Version 2; Dated 26/04/2024
Ethical Approval: H-2024-0073
You are invited to participate in the above research project, which is being run by researchers from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Research Medical Institute. The project has been funded by the Healthy Minds Collaborative Development Small Grant Scheme (G2200470).
What is the research study about?
There is a small, rapidly growing body of research supporting the efficacy of Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots (computer programs simulating conversation with human users) delivering mental health interventions (He et al., 2023). Recognising that outcomes and adherence to digital mental health interventions (DMHI) is greater when individualised support is integrated with the intervention (Daley et al., 2020), Daley et al., 2022 explored whether chatbots could be used to provide support in similar ways to human providers, while retaining scalability of DMHIs. Despite promising results, the adoption of chatbots in DMHI remains limited (Boucher et al., 2021).
In another study Ayers et al., (2023) used the AI chatbot ‘Chat GPT3’ to generate responses to user submitted questions posted to an online medical forum. They examined whether the AI generated responses were of comparable quality and empathy to physician written responses and found chatbot responses rated significantly higher for both quality and empathy.
These findings are promising regarding the usefulness of AI content exists in physical healthcare (Ayers, 2023). This project affords a unique opportunity to replicate and extend this research into mental health by investigating if AI can generate content and responses regarding psychological well-being that are comparable to that generated by clinicians.
Who is conducting the research?
This research project is being conducted by researchers from the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health and School of Information and Physical Sciences, and Hunter Medical Research Institute. This includes Dr Dara Sampson (Principal Investigator), Dr Louise Thornton, Dr Erica Breuer, Professor Florian Breuer, Dr Jane Rich, Gillian Mason, Jess Wilcox, Dr Nerida Paterson, Clare Corliss, Dr Jamin Day and Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin.
Who can participate in the research?
You can take part if you:
- Are aged 18 years or older
- Currently reside in Australia, and
- Can read, understand and write in English
What does participation involve?If you are interested in participating, we will first ask you some eligibility questions, and then invite you to provide your informed consent to participate in the study. Once your eligibility is confirmed, and informed consent is received, the online survey will ask you questions relating to you: demographics (no identifying information will be gathered). You will then be asked to read a number of short paragraphs providing information relating to mental health and/or substance use. You will be asked to rate each paragraph based on five key areas.
The time to complete the research is between 20-30 minutes. Please note, some of the sections may be shorter, depending on your experiences and circumstances.
Do you have to take part in this research study?
No. Participation in this research study is voluntary. If you do not want to take part, you do not have to. If you decide to participate and later change your mind, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time prior to submitting your completed survey. Due to the anonymous nature of the survey, if you decide to withdraw from the project after submitting a completed survey, we cannot withdraw your responses. Whether or not you choose to take part, your decision will not impact your relationship with the University of Newcastle or Hunter Medical Research Institute.
What is the benefit of participating in this research study?
While there will be no direct benefits from participating, this study will provide you with an opportunity to a growing body of research regarding the integration of AI technologies into online mental health care in Australia. You will also have the opportunity to go into the draw to win 1 of 10 $50 Coles e-gift cards, for completing the survey.
Are there any risks involved in participating in this research?
Some individuals may experience some discomfort or distress when reading content related to mental health or substance use. Should you find any of the questions upsetting, you can stop your participation at any time prior to submission of the survey.
You can also contact the list of support services below (also provided at completion of the online survey) should you need support regarding any of the issues raised in the survey:
Lifeline:
Lifeline offers online support and counselling, so please access their website if you prefer this option.
Suicide Call Back Service:
This organisation also provides a call back service, offering 24-hour crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal, and those bereaved by suicide.
New South Wales Alcohol and Drug Information Service:
(02) 9361 8000
1800 422 599 (rural)
National Indigenous Critical Response Service (Thirrili):
1800 805 801
How will your privacy be protected?
Due to the anonymous nature of the survey, the responses you provide will not be identifiable. You will have the option to include an email if you wish to enter the draw. Data will be retained securely for a minimum period of 5 years from the completion of the research project. The survey will be hosted by a research database application called Question Pro. Question Pro includes a number of features that are designed to protect the privacy of research participants. More information about their privacy and data security policy is available via this link: https://www.questionpro.com/help/privacy-policy.html.
All information will be stored securely on a password protected database called OneDrive, which is hosted by the University of Newcastle. Information will be managed and stored in accordance with the University’s Research Data and Materials Management Guideline (see https://policies.newcastle.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=72) or any successor Guideline as week as any other applicable University of Newcastle policy provisions.
Any potential identifying information that is provided in the responses to the survey will be removed from the research data. Data from this study will only be accessible by members of the research team unless disclosure is required by law in order for us to comply with our regulatory obligations. Any hard copies of data will be scanned and stored securely before being destroyed. At the appropriate time, all data will be destroyed in line with the University of Newcastle’s research policy provisions.
How will information collected by the research team be used? Your participation in this research will inform the future development of Artificial Intelligence models for integration with online mental health and substance use services. Findings from this study may also be prepared for publication in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and seminars, reports, and media. All information gathered and disseminated will be non-identifiable.
If you would like a copy of the summary of the results, please record your details using the separate link which will be provided at the end of the main survey. This information is collected and stored separately from your completed survey data.
Individual participants will not be identifiable in any of the outputs generated from the research project, but individual anonymous responses may be quoted.
Non-identifiable data may be shared with other parties as part of a peer-review process to verify the robustness and integrity of the study, or to contribute to further research and public knowledge.
What you need to do in order to participate
Read this Information Statement in its entirety and be sure you understand all of the information provided before you agree to participate.
If there is anything you do not understand, or if you have questions, contact the research team using the following email: dara.sampson@newcastle.edu.au.
If you would like to participate, you can consent to the form via the Question Pro online consent process and complete the online survey. If this document was provided in an electronic form you are encouraged to retain a copy for your reference.
Completion and submission of the survey will be taken as your implied consent to participate.
Do you need more information? If you would like more information about this research project, please contact Dara Sampson via email (dara.sampson@newcastle.edu.au).
Thank you on behalf of the research team, Dr Dara Sampson
Concerns or complaints about this research
This project has been approved by the University of Newcastle’s Human Research Ethics Committee, Approval No. H-2024-0073.
If you have concerns about your rights as a participant in this research, or if you have a complaint about the manner in which the research is conducted, you can contact the Chief Investigator, Dara Sampson via email (dara.sampson@newcastle.edu.au).
If you would prefer to contact someone independent of the research project, you can forward your concerns to:
Human Research Ethics Officer Research and Innovation Services
University of Newcastle
University Drive
Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia
Phone: (02) 4921 6333
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