Simpson, 2004). Specifically, attachment theory has been used successfully to enrich MFT research and clinical work (Johnson, 2004; Wampler). Fraley, Brennan, & Waller (2000) developed an instrument to measure attachment styles (the Experiences in Close Relationships - Revised (ECR- R) that makes it possible to investigate possible relationships between attachment styles (Hazan & Shaver, 1987; Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) and attention styles (Palmer, 1988; Daniels and Price, 2000)
3. Describe the purpose / objectives of this study and the anticipated findings/contributions: Current therapies based on attachment theory lack a rich base of knowledge about the inner experience associated with different attachment strategies. This lack may limit therapists’ abilities to help clients experience attachment security. The enneagram model of human development has
developed a wealth of knowledge about how people subjectively experience close relationships. The enneagram model focuses on individual differences in attentional processes in close relationships. However, there is as yet no theoretical model for how attachment styles and enneagram attention types might be related. The proposed study will develop and empirically test an integrated model of attachment style and enneagram attention type for use in marriage and family therapy.
4. Explain what the research team plans to do with the study results (e.g., publish, use for dissertation, etc.): The study results will be used for my dissertation research.
5. Briefly describe the study design: Subjects will complete a paper and pencil questionnaire. The questionnaire will be comprised of the Experiences in Close Relationship - Revised (ECR-R) instrument and the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS). In addition, subjects will be asked to report their (self-identified) enneagram attention type. The data will be entered into SPSS and analyzed.
Section 3: Recruitment 6. Describe the subject pool, including inclusion and exclusion criteria (e.g., sex, age, health status,
ethnicity, etc.) and number of subjects: The subject pool will consist of members of the Association of Enneagram Teachers in the Narrative Tradition (AET). The AET is an international organization dedicated to the development and teaching of the Enneagram in the Narrative Tradition.
Membership is restricted to people who have completed at least one week of enneagram training with the Enneagram Professional Training Program. AET membership is approximately 400 people, from approximately 24 countries. This subject pool was chosen to ensure that all
participants have received enough enneagram training to be able to accurately self-identify their enneagram attention type. Because of the purposeful sampling, there are no other inclusion or exclusion criteria.
7. How will subjects be identified to participate in this research study (If searching existing records to identify subjects, indicate whether the records are public or private. If private, describe the researcher’s privileges to the data)? I have received permission to distribute the questionnaire at three different AET workshops this spring and summer. At each workshop I will have the opportunity to announce the study and distribute the questionnaires and pre-addressed, pre- stamped return envelopes.
8. The IRB must ensure that the risks and benefits of participating in a study are distributed equitably among the general population and that a specific population is not targeted because of ease of recruitment. Provide an explanation for choosing this population: I chose to limit the study to AET members because there is as yet no well validated self- report measure for assessing enneagram attention type. Currently, the "gold standards" (Daniels & Price, 2000, p. 107) for assessing enneagram attention type are: 1) a diagnostic typing interview by a certified enneagram teacher; 2) self-typing after completion of a ten-week enneagram course, or equivalent training (Daniels & Price, 2000). However, both of these methods are prohibitively time consuming for the sample size (200 - 300 participants) that I need for the statistical analyses required by the research design I have chosen.
9. Describe recruitment methods, including how the study will be advertised or introduced to subjects [submit all advertising / recruitment forms (e.g., flyers/posters, invitation letter/e-mail, telephone recruitment script, etc.) with this IRB application]: At each AET workshop, I will announce that I am conducting research on the relationship between enneagram attention types and attachment styles. I will explain that the questionnaires are anonymous, and that participation is completely
voluntary. Questionnaires and stamped return envelopes will be distributed after the
announcement. I will instruct participants to complete the questionnaire at their convenience and mail the completed questionnaire back to me using the pre-addressed and stamped envelope. Section 4: Requesting a Waiver for the Requirement to Obtain Signed Consent Forms from Participants This section (Section 4) not required for studies qualifying for exempt review
Many minimal risk socio-behavioral research studies qualify for a waiver of the requirement for the
investigator(s) to obtain signed consent forms from subjects [i.e., researcher does obtain verbal or implied (i.e., consent implied from the return of completed questionnaire) consent from subjects; however, does not obtain written consent from subjects]. Examples of types of research that typically qualify for this type of waiver are as follows: internet based surveys, anonymous surveys, surveys not requesting sensitive information, and oral history projects. You may request a waiver of signed consent for either some or all of the study’s procedures involving human subjects.
10. Are you requesting a waiver of the requirement to obtain signed consent forms from participants? No, consent forms will be signed by all research participants prior to participating in all research procedures [submit consent document template(s) with this IRB application]
Yes If yes,
A. Select one of the criteria listed below and describe how your research meets the selected criteria:
Criteria 1: [Typically used for anonymous surveys] The only record linking the subject and the research would be the consent document and the principal risk would be potential harm resulting from a breach of confidentiality. Each subject will be asked whether the subject wants documentation linking the subject with the research, and the subject’s wishes will govern:
Or
Criteria 2: The research presents no more than minimal risk of harm to subjects and involves no procedures for which written consent is normally required outside of the research context (e.g., sitting down and talking with someone, calling someone at home and asking everyday questions, mall survey, mail survey, internet survey, etc.): Either selection of either Criteria 1 or Criteria 2 above, the IRB suggests and may
require the investigator to provide subjects with a written or verbal (for telephone interviews) statement regarding the research, which should provide subjects with much of the same information that is required within a consent document. This is typically accomplished by providing subjects with an information sheet (i.e., a document similar to a consent form; however, does not request signatures), supplying the information within the invitation letter, or reading the information sheet to the subject over the phone.
B. Will you be providing subjects with a written or verbal statement regarding the research? Yes [submit supporting document(s) (e.g., information sheet, invitation letter) with
If yes, check all methods that will be utilized to provide subjects with a statement regarding the
research:
Information sheet physically provided to subjects Information sheet will be read to subject over the phone Information captured within the invitation document Other, describe:
No, provide justification for not supplying subjects with this information: C. Does this waiver of written consent cover all study procedures involving human
subjects? Yes
No, list the study procedures for which this waiver is being requested to cover (Note: a consent document may be required for the study procedures not included under this waiver):
Section 5: Consent Process