An ethical assessment tool developed for cosmetic assistance
Past research indicates that when individuals seek cosmetic treatment while they are experiencing psychological distress or relationship difficulties, they tend to be less satisfied with the outcome of treatment, or have higher expectations from the procedure. Therefore, it is important that clinicians working in the cosmetic industry assess for psychological factors which may affect the treatment outcome, and enter a discussion with the client about reasonable expectations for treatment, or other options to achieve their desired results. This survey aims to better understand the different motivations an individual might have for seeking cosmetic treatment, and to explore how these motivations relate to satisfaction with previous treatments, and expectations for upcoming treatments.
You will be asked a range of questions about yourself and about your thoughts and beliefs about your appearance, and cosmetic treatment. There are no right or wrong answers, so you don't need to spend too long on each question. The survey should take approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete, and you can do it online at a time and place that is convenient for you. It is important to emphasise that (a) participation in the study is completely voluntary, (b) you are not required to give any identifying information, so your participation will be anonymous (c) participants are free to discontinue the survey at any time without question or explanation, (e) participants are free to abstain from answering any questions they do not wish to answer, and (f) responses cannot be linked to individual participants.
You will not be required to provide your name on the questionnaire or to provide any identifying information or codes. All data will be anonymous and data will not be traceable to a particular individual. Only the researchers will have access to the data, which will be stored electronically with password protection. No information about any individual will be given to any other individual or organisation.
The risks for participants are considered minimal.However, some of the questions presented in this survey are of a sensitive nature. If you do experience any emotional distress, or if you feel you would like to discuss issues arising as a result of your participation, please contact the researcher, Toni Pikoos, who is also registered with AHPRA as a Provisional Psychologist. She will refer you on to appropriate services for counselling or support
If you would like to participate in this research, please press the “Next” button, and then you will be directed to the start of the survey. You are entitled to take a break or cease involvement in the study if there is any discomfort or distress experienced. Please note, your participation is voluntary and you may discontinue your involvement at any stage. This project has been approved by or on behalf of Swinburne’s Human Research Ethics Committee in line with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans. If you have any concern or complaint about the conduct of this project, you can contact: Research Ethics Officer, Swinburne Research, Swinburne University of Technology
*Answer is mandatory
Please read each statement and select 0, 1, 2 or 3 which indicates how much the statement applied to you over the past week. There are no right or wrong answers. Do not spend too much time on any statement.