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Abstract

Grant Number:	5R01HD039332-03
Project Title:	CONSENT CAPACITY OF ADULTS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION

PI Information:	Name	Email	Title
	FISHER, CELIA B.	fisher@fordham.edu	DIRECTOR

Abstract: The stated objectives of this research are to assess and develop procedures to enhance the capacity of adults with mild and moderate mental retardation (MR) to provide informed consent for therapeutic research, and to exert their rights to assent or dissent when surrogate consent is obtained. The project will have two phases, with the first designed to examine the understanding of basic elements of psychotropic treatment including the purpose and nature of the research, risks and benefits, voluntary nature of the participation, and right to withdraw without penalty. The project will also examine comprehension of the consent elements (e.g., goals, role of a scientist, nature of placebo conditions, etc). Consent capacity will also be evaluated within the four psycho-legal standards outlined by Appelbaum and Grisso (1988). In phase 1, persons with mild, moderate and "typical;" intelligence will be respond to a hypothetical vignette describing research utilizing a randomized control trial of a new medication to reduce aggressive behavior. In phase 2, the authors will use data generated from phase 1 to develop and evaluate three formats designed to improve the consent capacity of individuals with mild and moderate MR: 1) a picture book format, 2) a video format, and 3) a supported decision-making format. A significant other is also chosen by the subjects to aid in them during the three format presentations.

Public Health Relevance:
This Public Health Relevance is not available.

Thesaurus Terms:
adult human (21+), cognition, health related legal, health science research, human rights, informed consent, mental retardation, psychopharmacology
aggression, behavior disorder, behavior therapy, decision making, family structure /dynamics, interpersonal relations, photography
behavioral /social science research tag, clinical research, human subject, psychological test, questionnaire, videotape /videodisc

Institution:	FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
	Room 221
	BRONX, NY 10458
Fiscal Year:	2002
Department:	PSYCHOLOGY
Project Start:	01-SEP-2000
Project End:	31-AUG-2004
ICD:	EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
IRG:	ZRG1

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