Expressive Writing: Your Consent
Update: Thanks for your interest in this study but recruitment is now closed.
Thank you for taking the time to read the introduction and considering taking part in this study. This page is a little longer because it contains the full details of the study.
Below is a formal consent form which includes the study’s procedure, the benefits and risks of taking part and information about data protection and privacy. Please read this carefully.
At the bottom of this page you are asked for your email address. This will be used to contact you within a few days about the next stage of the study.
Expressive writing
Contact Details of Investigators: Jeremy Dean, Dr Chris Barker
Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology
University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
Study approved by UCL Research Ethics Committee [Project ID]: CEHP/2009/023
Invitation to take part
We would like to invite you to participate in this research project on expressive writing. Expressive writing involves people writing about their thoughts and feelings, often upsetting ones, for a short period of time. Previous research has shown that this has a small but noticeable beneficial effect on physical (and sometimes psychological) well-being.
You should only participate if you want to; choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in any way. Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Please ask us if anything is not clear or if you would like more information.
The study’s procedure
It is expected that the study will last for 6 weeks. This is what will happen:
- At the beginning, you will be asked to fill in questionnaires about how you are currently feeling.
- You will be given information about how to carry out the weekly online expressive writing task.
- We will contact you after six weeks to check on your progress and ask you to fill out some more questionnaires.
- We will analyse what you have written to find out what writing characteristics are associated with any changes in how you are feeling.
Potential benefits and risks of the study
Previous research suggests that people benefit from an expressive writing activity.
It is, however, possible that you could find the expressive writing task unhelpful or upsetting, because of the thoughts and feelings it conjures up. You are, of course, free to change the topic or stop writing at any time.
Participation is voluntary
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you choose not to participate it will involve no penalty to you. If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time without giving a reason.
Data Protection
All the information you give us will be confidential and used for the purposes of this study only. The data will be collected and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and will be disposed of in a secure manner. The information will be used in a way that will not allow you to be identified individually. The only exception to this is if you write about harm to yourself or to others.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the research please email Jeremy Dean.
Consent Form
- I confirm that I have read and understood the information pages about the study. I have had the opportunity to consider this information fully.
- I understand that I am volunteering to complete an initial set of online questionnaires, and another set in six week’s time.
- I understand that all the information I provide will be confidential, and that I will remain anonymous.
- I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving any reason.
- I confirm that I am aged 18 or over, living in the UK and I can read and write English.
- I agree to take part in this study. Please enter a working email address that acts as your signature and as the primary contact for this study.
If you agree with all the above statements then enter your email address below and click ‘I agree to take part’. An automated confirmation email will then be sent to you.
Update: Thanks for your interest in this study but recruitment is now closed.
Please ensure this address is entered correctly or it will be impossible to contact you for the next stage of the study. All contact for this study will be via the internet.
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