Understanding Infantilism (.org)
Appendix A of The Clinical Mental Health Experience of Persons with Paraphilic Infantilism and Autonepiophilia. A phenomenological research study, a doctoral dissertation by Dr. Rhoda J. Lipscomb, PhD, LPC, DAACS, BCPC. It is also available in PDF.
American Academy of Clinical Sexologists
Institutional Review Board
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Orlando, FL 32803
407-645-1641
Understanding Paraphilic Infantilism and Autonepiophilia (AB/DL)
You are being asked to participate in a research study. Before you consent to be a volunteer, please read the following and ask any questions you have to ensure you understand what your participation will involve.
Investigator
The name of the student conducting this research study is Rhoda Lipscomb, MSC, LPC. The faculty member who is supervising the research is Edward Fankhanel, PhD.
Purpose of the Research
The purpose of the research is to have a better understanding of paraphilic infantilism (adult babies) and autonepiophilia (diaper fetish) and their experience with the mental health community. There is little formal research within the psychological literature and even less on how to effectively provide treatment for those individuals who do present for mental health care. The goal of the study is to have a better understanding of these particular atypical sexual behaviors, the best treatment approach to ensure those with these fetishes would be more willing to seek treatment when needed and what could be done to improve the level of trust between the ABDL community and the mental health community.
Duration of Participation in the Research and Number of Participants
If you agree to participate, it will take around 90 to 120 minutes of your time for both the original questionnaire and face to face interview. After the face to face interview, you will not need to return for further formal interviews unless you would like to speak with the primary investigator about your experience in the study. Since this is a qualitative study a total of 3-6 participants will be involved in the study.
Procedures to be followed during the Research
If you choose to participate in this study, you will be given or emailed a standardized questionnaire that you can fill out in private and later returned to the researcher, looking at your experiences with these particular fetishes throughout your life. The questions will discuss such areas as when you first noticed the fetish develop, your experiences, both positive and negative, while engaging in the fetish, your emotional responses to the fetish, and your overall mental health and if the fetish was a contributing factor. At points you will be asked about reactions of any others who discovered your fetish and how their reactions affected you and your emotional health. You will be asked about your experience with the mental health community, either positive or negative, and how that experience affected your feelings about yourself. Once the original questionnaires have been analyzed a set of no more than 6 questions will be created for a face to face interview to further understand any questions that arise. This interview will be recorded on audiotape. All recording instruments will be visible and no recording will take place without your knowledge or consent.
Risks
The risk in this study is that you will be asked to recall memories from your life that may be painful, upsetting, embarrassing, or anxiety-provoking. You may stop the tape and quit the study at any time without penalty. If you feel any trauma from participating in this research and need psychotherapy services, a list of experienced therapists competent in these issues will be provided to you. If you need emergency treatment, you can call the Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network for emergency care. Their emergency care phone number is 303-730-3303.
Benefits of the Research
There may or may not be any direct benefit to you from this study. Some people in the AB/DL community get a sense of satisfaction from helping increase the understanding of the mental health community which you may or may not experience. The hope of this study is to improve the knowledge of mental health professionals on how to effectively treat those with similar fetishes and may help other individuals in the future.
Alternatives to this Research
If you choose to participate in this research, there is no other alternative procedure than what is described. However, you do not have to participate in the research and you may choose to withdraw your participation at any time without any consequence.
Confidentiality
You have a right to privacy, and all information identifying you will remain anonymous and confidential. Your answers to all questionnaires, written inventories, and recordings will be coded with numbers, and only the primary researcher will have access to the names. Names used in the case study will be changed to protect your identity and you may choose any name you like to represent yourself. If you want information such as age, occupation, or other descriptive items that are normally used in a case study altered for increased privacy that will be arranged and you will have the option to decide what information will be used in any written material released in the study. Any information obtained in connection with this research that can be identified with you will remain confidential and will not be disclosed with your written permission or as required by law. The results of this study may be published in scientific journals, presented in psychological meetings, and an electronic version of the dissertation may be posted on the school’s website. However, it is possible that under certain circumstances, data could be subpoenaed by court order.
Questions about the Research
If you have questions about the research you can contact Rhoda Lipscomb at 720-530-6545 at any time. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have before signing this form. If you feel you have concerns about how this research was conducted and want for file a complaint you can contact Dr. Fankhanel at Fankhanel@prtc.net.
Subject Compensation for Participation
As compensation for your participation in this study, you will receive a $100 Visa gift card upon completion of the study.
Previous Research Participation
___ I have never participated in a research study
___ I have participated in research study (ies) in the past. The studies I have participated in within the past three months: _________________________________________________________
Participants Rights and Research Withdrawal
Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may refuse to participate or withdraw one the study has started. You will not lose any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled nor will you be penalized. If you are a current patient, withdrawing from this study will not affect your ability to continue with the mental health care you have been receiving. If upon withdrawing from this study you feel your continued mental health care has been compromised in any way, you may request and will receive a list of three other local therapists who are competent and skilled in working with alternative sexual expression. The information used in the research will only come from the self-administered questionnaire and the face-to-face interview. No information obtained solely from your psychotherapy sessions will ever be used.
We have attempted to explain all the important details relating to this study to you. If you have any additional questions the researcher will be happy to give you additional information.
Signature and Acknowledgement
My signature below indicates that I have read the above information and I have had a chance to ask any questions that help me understand what my participation will involve. I agree to participate in the study until I decide otherwise. I acknowledge having received a copy of this agreement and a copy of the Subject’s Bill of Rights. I have been told that by signing this consent form I am not giving up any of my legal rights.
Signature of Participant_______________________________ Date________________
Signature of Researcher ______________________________ Date_________________
Adapted from: Dissertations and theses from start to finish, Second Edition, 2006 by John Cone and Sharon Foster
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This work is copyright Dr. Rhoda J. Lipscomb, PhD, LPC, DAACS, BCPC, posted by permission. Dr. Lipscomb can be reached at dr.rhoda@yahoo.com.