Informed Consent

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY

TITLE OF STUDY:  Factors impacting marital satisfaction and marital conflict

Study to be conducted at: Southern Utah University

Principal Investigator Daniel Hatch, Dakota Elliott as student investigator:

Daniel Hatch, Ph.D.

Psychology Department, GC 308A

(435) 586-7863

INFORMATION:

You are invited to participate in a research study.  The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Southern Utah University has reviewed this study for the protection of the rights of human subjects in research studies, in accordance with federal and state regulations.  However, before you choose to be a research participant, it is important that you read the following information and ask as many questions as necessary to be sure that you understand what your participation will involve.  Your signature on this consent form will acknowledge that you received all of the following information and explanations from the principal investigator or a research assistant, and you have been given an opportunity to discuss your questions and concerns with that person.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study is to understand what influences marital satisfaction and marital conflict. To find out, approximately 80 participants (18 years and older) will be asked to write letters to their spouse, read them after marital conflicts during a 3-week period and then take a short questionnaire.

PROCEDURES:

If you wish and agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to take a demographic survey, take a marital satisfaction survey, write 8 mini-letters to your partner, track marital conflict during a 3-week period and read said letters after each conflict, take a mini-questionnaire after each conflict, and return for a follow-up visit after the 3-week time period to repeat the marital satisfaction survey and turn in your materials.  The total time required to complete the study is estimated to be 2-3 hours.  

Some of the questions you may be asked in the marital satisfaction survey may be sensitive in nature, including information regarding sexual satisfaction in your marriage as well as other questions asking about your satisfaction in your relationship. All of your information will be kept confidential from everyone but the researchers. If you are uncomfortable answering any of the questions, you may skip them at any time without penalty.

POSSIBLE RISKS:

As with all studies and/or procedures, this study has potential risks.  Though minimized, possible risks that may result from participation include:

You may experience psychological discomfort while participating due to the nature of the study. Giving out information about your feelings about your spouse may cause you distress if it is possible that they will find out about your responses. To minimize this risk, researchers will keep all surveys and information divulged through the course of the study confidential, even from the person’s spouse. If you feel that you are experiencing extreme distress caused by participating in this study, you may inform Dakota Elliott or contact Daniel Hatch who is a professional counselor. They will assist you in receiving psychological relief from such distress.

Participant’s initials __________

POTENTIAL BENEFITS:

All participants have the chance to receive a date-night prize for participating. Other benefits include increased happiness and satisfaction in your marriage and receiving information on ways to enhance your marriage (if results prove significant). You also have the chance to participate in research that will further the study of marital satisfaction.

COMPENSATION:

All participants will have the chance to win one of four “date-night packages” that has a value of $100+. This package may include a one-night stay to a local hotel or a gift card to a restaurant.

All participants who are in a Psychology 1010 class will receive 2 credits of research participation for the initial meeting with researchers and an additional 2 credits if the participant attends their 3-week follow-up meeting.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION:

Participation in this study is voluntary.  Any participant may refuse to participate in or withdraw from the study at any time for any reason.  Refusal to participate or withdrawal from the study will not result in any penalty and/or loss of benefits to which the participant is entitled.    

The principal investigator has the right to terminate a subject’s participation without regard to the participant’s consent if:

-  The participant requires a lengthy extension to complete the study

-  The participant shows signs of unsafe physical discomfort

-  The participant is expressing signs of extreme emotional and/or

  psychological discomfort.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Each participant’s documented consent to participate will remain confidential.  The consent form will be stored in a locked filing cabinet in Daniel Hatch’s office.  The data will be stored separately from the consent form, and to ensure that each participant’s answers remain anonymous, no names, social security numbers and/or other personal identifiers will be required or associated with the test materials.

However, there are some circumstances where we may have to show your information to other people.   We may be required to show information that identifies you to people who need to be sure that we have done the research correctly, such as SUU’s Institutional Review Board.  Moreover, the law may require us to show your information in court or to tell authorities if the information indicates that you pose a danger to yourself and/or others.

A copy of the results from this study can be obtained on or after 04/15/17, by contacting Daniel Hatch at the phone number listed above.

Participant’s initials __________

QUESTIONS:

For more information concerning this study, the research-related risks and benefits, and/or the rights of subjects involved in the research, participants may contact:

Garrett Strosser, Ph.D.

SUU Institutional Review Board Chair

SUU IRB Office- GC 308H

Cedar City, UT 84720

tel. (435) 586-7889 (outside of the USA use 01 as the country code)

garrettstrosser@suu.edu

CONSENT

I have been given an opportunity to ask questions about this study; answers to such questions (if any) have been to my satisfaction.

In consideration of all of the above, I give my consent to participate in this research study. I have received a copy of this informed consent statement.

PARTICIPANT'S SIGNATURE: _____________________________________

PARTICIPANT’S PRINTED NAME___________________________________

DATE: ___________

SIGNATURE OF PERSON ADMINISTERING

THE CONSENT DOCUMENT: ___________________________________

DATE:  ___________

APPROVED BY THE IRB  ________________________   on  ___________________

        name of IRB representative                      date

EXPIRES:  ________________

                         date