Please note: This trial has finished recruiting and is not accepting new participants.

Research Centre: Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit – University of Melbourne
Location: Kenneth Myer Building, 144/30 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Lead Researcher: Professor Kim Felmingham, P.h.D, MA Clin. Psych
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee [HREC Number: 2056265.2]

Traumatic events come in different shapes and sizes, such as serious accidents, natural disasters, witnessing violence, or enduring physical or sexual assault. Although some people experience distress after these events, most people cope fine. This study is focused on understanding how people cope well after experiencing these types of events. .

Researchers at the University of Melbourne are doing a study to better understand why people cope well after traumatic events. They aim to do this by looking into brain processes through brain scans.

• Participants may be compensated up to $75 for participating in this study. 
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those who experience trauma in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance mental health research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.

• Men and women aged 18-55 who have NEVER been diagnosed with PTSD
• Must not have a history of a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Must not have a current mental health disorder diagnosis
• Must not have any serious medical conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis
• Must be able to have an MRI scan (i.e., must not have any metal implants- including dental braces, or have claustrophobia)
• Must not have a substance use disorder
• Must be able to attend a study visit at the Melbourne Brain Center in Parkville over approximately 2.5 hours.

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Prior to starting the study, participants will have a 20-minute phone interview covering their mental health history to determine eligibility for the study. 
• Participants will have one visit to the Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging Unit at the University of Melbourne, lasting less than 3 hours. Participation in this study involves completing questionnaires which will take about 30 minutes.). Participants will undergo MRI scanning lasting 60 minutes. These scans will take place on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings.
• The study also hopes to understand more about the role of genetics and hormones in the brain processes being studied. Participants can choose to provide two saliva (spit) samples to aid in this research, however, this is not a compulsory component of participating.

The University of Melbourne
At number one in Australia and ranked 34th globally, the University of Melbourne is “committed to being one of the finest universities in the world.” Its researchers are dedicated to making contributions that may enrich the lives of others whilst tackling problems that exist today and potentially in the future.