FAQs

We are interested in psychological, physiological, social and environmental factors and adversities that might impact cognitive and mental health. People who choose to participate will complete surveys and short game-like tasks through their iPhones, and some participants may receive an Apple Watch (if available) to use during the study. Surveys will ask about your health, mental well-being, lifestyle, social support, and perceptions of ageing and gender. Active tasks will measure your cognitive, physical, and sensory function. These tasks are quick and may even be fun! This project will allow us to capture changes comparing within and between participants such as fluctuations in identity characteristics, sensory function, cognition, time use, physical health, mental health & wellbeing, and interactions with the environment over the lifecourse (over 18 years) and over time (longitudinally).

The information gathered from this study will allow us to gain insights into how psychological and cognitive resilience changes over time, and the personal characteristics and environmental factors that can influence these changes. This will help us to understand resilience, so that we may learn how to build resilience and optimise cognitive function in later life. 

You can read through the participant information sheet and submit an expression of interest here. If eligible, you will be sent a unique invitation code and instructions for how to download the research app on your iPhone.

You can participate in this study using the Apple Research app on your iPhone. The study will ask you to:

a.     Provide your consent to collect data from your iPhone and Apple Watch (if applicable) such as your Health app data, and other Apple Research app related data.

b.     Complete occasional, short surveys about your demographic, medical history, health and wellbeing.

This is a longitudinal study, which means that it will be set up to continue over many years (dependent on funding). We will ask you to renew your consent to continue in the study every wave after the first two years. You can withdraw from the study at any time.

You’ll need an iPhone 6S, iPhone SE or newer to participate since the app requires a minimum of iOS 13 to work.

Yes, if you already own an Apple Watch you can use this with the research app to participate in the study.

Data will be collected through an Apple Watch and iPhone. The types of data collected will include contact information, demographic data, Health app data, sensor and usage data from the iPhone and Apple Watch, information entered into the REMIND app such as survey responses, and the results of cognitive tasks performed on the iPhone. Participants will be able to review and select which Health app data are shared during the onboarding process and can change these settings at any time.

We take your privacy very seriously and have taken steps to protect your data.

All data are stored on a password-protected server that is only accessible to the research team. Participants’ identifiable information such as names and contact details are stored separately from the study data which has been de-identified with all personal information being replaced by a unique code that is randomly assigned and not based on any personal information.

Your personal and contact information is only accessible by the research team members who need it to conduct the study. For example, this includes when sending you onboarding information, shipping study equipment, or troubleshooting technical issues.

The de-identified study data will be used in all other cases where we do not need to contact you such as conducting statistical analyses.

Your data collected through the study will only be stored and used as described in the consent form. You can find more information about this in section 7 of the Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form.

We would like to use this rich dataset to answer many different and new research questions. The de-identified study data will be kept for at least 15 years after the study is complete or until researchers deem it unnecessary to keep it for any longer.

Participating in this research study is completely voluntary and you can withdraw from the study at any time by completing the withdrawal form within the app. Deleting the app from your iPhone will not withdraw you from the study.

You may not directly benefit from taking part but learning more about yourself and your activity may be interesting to you. You will also help researchers to develop a better understanding of factors that impact psychological resilience, mental health and cognitive function over time.

The main risk to you is to your privacy by an accidental release of your data; all reasonable steps will be in place to prevent this from occurring, according to the UNSW Data Privacy Policy. You may find some of the activities challenging, and you may find wearing the Apple watch uncomfortable.