Study Title:
Exploring Cannabis Use and Effects in Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Researcher: Dr. Mansfield Mela Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Phone: 306-844-1316 Email: mam865@mail.usask.ca | Research Assistant: Monique Reboe-Benjamin Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Phone: 306-844-1335 Email: mpr795@usask.ca |
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate cannabis use among adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and related conditions. Some researchers have found that there are relatively high rates of pot (aka: marijuana, weed, cannabis) use among adults with FASD compared to healthy adults, but not much is known about pot use in this population. Many adults with FASD have comorbid physical and mental health problems and may use pot to help with these symptoms.
In this study, we are collecting data to understand how much adults with FASD use pot, as well as the reasons for use. We are also interested in whether pot use has positive or negative effects.
Procedures
If you are interested in participating in this study, you are invited to complete an online survey. The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and will ask you questions about the person you know who has FASD. Questions will ask if the person you know has ever used pot, and if yes, further questions about reasons for pot use and frequency. The questions will also ask about possible benefits and side effects from pot use. Finally, there will also be questions about the physical and mental health of the person you know, and whether they have ever accessed substance use treatment.
Funding
This study is funded by the Canada FASD Research Network (CanFASD).
Potential Risks
There are no known or anticipated risks to you by participating in this research.
Potential Benefits
There are no direct benefits for your participation in this study. Your participation in this study will contribute to our scientific understanding of any possible impact of pot use among individuals with FASD.
Confidentiality
We will use the responses from the survey to write reports, manuscripts, and presentations. In these formats, we will never include anything that would allow people to know who you are, as we will not have collected any identifying information.
The survey is hosted by RedCap, a secure online survey tool.
Storage of Data
Any information we keep on a computer will only be seen by people who are working on the study. It will need a password to be opened. We will do everything we can to make sure it is kept private. Electronic data may be stored on a password-protected computer during analyses but will be moved to a secure password-protected electronic data storage folder hosted by the University of Saskatchewan server for long-term storage. If any paper information is generated, it will be kept in a locked filing cabinet in the Research Coordinator’s office in Ellis Hall at the University of Saskatchewan.
The information we use for the study will be kept for 5 years post-publication. After 5 years, the electronic data will be deleted using a program that does not permit recovery. If any paper information is generated, it will be shredded.
Right to Withdraw
Participation in this survey is voluntary. You can decide not to participate at any time by closing your browser or choose not to answer any questions you do not feel comfortable with. Survey responses will remain anonymous. Since the survey is anonymous; once it is submitted, it cannot be removed.
Whether you choose to participate or not will have no effect on any access to services from CanFASD or from any community organizations that partner with CanFASD.
Follow up:
To obtain results from the study, please email Andrea DesRoches, Research Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry at andrea.desroches@usask.ca or call 306-844-1335. A summary of the final research report will be made available to you. You do not need to identify that you were a participant of this study in order to obtain a copy of the results.
Questions or Concerns:
Contact the researcher(s) using the information at the top of this web page.
This project was reviewed on ethical grounds by the University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Research Ethics Board. Any questions regarding your rights as a participant may be addressed to the Research Ethics Office toll-free at 1-888-966-2975 or ethics.office@usask.ca. You are welcome to print this page for you to keep.
Consent
By completing and submitting this questionnaire, your free and informed consent is implied and indicates that you understand the above conditions of participation in this study. Please be aware that, by consenting, you are not waiving your rights to legal recourse in the event of research-related harm.