What is the study about?
We are looking for participants who experience low levels of worry to take part in our research. The studies are designed to help us understand why some people find it difficult to stop worrying. Gaining a better understanding of these issues is important if we are to develop more effective psychological treatments for worry in the future.
Who we are looking for?
We are seeking volunteers between 18-65 years of age who have English and a first language and think that they experience low levels of worry. The studies are not suitable for people who have a psychiatric diagnosis, an acute or chronic health condition, or are taking medication. If you would like to take part, we will ask you to complete a short online screening questionnaire to assess worry levels. Depending on your responses to the questionnaire, you may be invited to take part in the next part of the study. If you decide to complete the screening questionnaire, you are not under any obligation to take part in the main study. There are two studies and you can take part in one or both studies. You will need to complete one screening questionnaire for each study.
What does the study involve?
The main part of both studies involves attending a one-off session at Denmark Hill campus. The session will last approximately 2 hrs. One day before the study you will be sent a link to an online survey, which will invite you to complete some questionnaires about worry and your current mood. When you attend the 2 hr session, you will be asked to wear a lightweight heart rate monitor. We will ask you to complete some tasks on a computer. The tasks involve looking at stimuli (e.g. Words/letters/colours) on a computer screen, following different instructions provided in the tasks, and pressing keys on the keyboard to respond to the stimuli as quickly and accurately as possible. At different points in the study, you will be asked to identify a topic that you are currently worrying about that you are comfortable talking about and to describe it briefly to the researcher. We will ask you to worry about this topic as you normally would. Sometimes we will ask you to focus on your breathing, or to try and stop worrying once you have started.
Reimbursement
Participants will be reimbursed £20 for each study.
If you would like to take part please contact:
1. Paul Young (study 1)  or visit https://kings.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/screeningworry_study1
2. Su Ozkaya (study 2)  or visit https://kings.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/screening-survey_worry-levels_study2

Advertisement for use for recruitment of volunteers for study ref: Human Resources -17/18-5310 approved by Psychiatry, Nursing and  Midwifery Research Ethics Committee.