Project Title: LGBTQ+ Health Project Study
Conducted By: Dr. David Solomon and a team of graduate and undergraduate students: Jess Minieri, Jessica Cwalina, and Lauren Bell.
Description and Purpose of the Research: You are invited to participate in a research study about the different things that influence physical, emotional, and relational well-being in LGBTQ+ people. By doing this study, we hope to learn more about how to support positive well-being outcomes for LGBTQ+ people. What you will be asked to do: You will be asked to complete a number of surveys and answer a number of questions about yourself. The surveys will cover a range of topics, including some potentially uncomfortable topics related sex, emotions and discrimination. This survey will take about 40 minutes to complete
Risks and Discomforts: Some of the questions we will ask you as part of this study may make you feel uncomfortable but should not be beyond mildly distressing. For example, you will be asked about mental health and sensitive questions related to sex, relationships, and sexual orientation, and illicit substance misuse. There may be additional risks that we are not currently aware of, but you may skip any questions you are uncomfortable with (other than age, which we need to know to make sure you are eligible for the study), take a break or stop your participation in this study at any time. If you are feeling particularly distressed, we provide immediate mental health resources at the end of this study. These include the Trevor Project Crisis Hotline (Call 1-866-488-7386 or text ‘START’ to 678-678) SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), National Helpline (1-800-662-4357), and the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (9-8-8)
Benefits: This study provides no direct benefits. The study may help us better understand the things that affect the well-being outcomes for LGBTQ+ people.
Privacy/Confidentiality/Data Security: The data collected in this study are anonymous. This means that not even the research team can match you to your data. The research team will work to protect your data to the extent permitted by technology. It is possible, although unlikely, that an unauthorized individual could gain access to your responses because you are responding online. This risk is similar to your everyday use of the internet. Research records may be required to be disclosed pursuant to a court order, but this would not include any personally identifiable information as none will be collected. The Qualtrics platform will be used to collect survey results and will be set to anonymous mode.
Voluntary Participation: Participation is voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw your consent or discontinue participation at any time without penalty. Compensation for Participation: There is no compensation for participation in this study. Contact Information: For questions about this study, please contact Dr. David Solomon, the principal investigator and faculty advisor for this project, at dsolomon@email.wcu.edu.
If you have questions or concerns about your treatment as a participant in this study, you may contact the Western Carolina University Institutional Review Board through the Office of Research Administration by calling 828-227-7212 or emailing irb@wcu.edu. All reports or correspondence will be kept confidential to the extent possible. You will be given a copy of this information to keep for your records.
I understand what is expected of me if I participate in this research study. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions, and understand that participation is voluntary. By clicking “I consent” below, I agree to participate and am at least 18 years old.