Your consent – recruitment closed
RECRUITMENT 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 about the next stage of the study.
Online Support Groups and 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]: 1376/001
Invitation to take part
We would like to invite you to participate in this research project. 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.
About the study
In recent years the number of online support groups for conditions like depression and anxiety has grown rapidly. Millions of people are thought to be using them around the world. This research aims to help find out whether the use of online support groups is beneficial and to learn more about what happens in these groups.
This research will compare online support groups with expressive writing. Expressive writing involves people writing about their thoughts and feelings, often upsetting ones, for a short period of time.
We are looking for people over 18 who are feeling a little under the weather, fed up, stressed or anxious. To take part you need to have access to the internet at home and be interested in joining a suitable online support group or carrying out an expressive writing activity.
We hope to recruit up to 1,000 participants for this study.
The study’s procedure
It is expected that the study will last for 6 months. This is what will happen:
- At the beginning, you will be asked to fill in questionnaires about how you are currently feeling.
- Then you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
- We will contact you at three-month intervals to check on your progress and ask you to fill out some more questionnaires. This will also be an opportunity to raise any concerns that you have – although you can also do this at any time during the study.
- We will analyse the interactions in the online group (involving yourself and other group members) as well as your expressive writing.
- At the end of the 6-month study period you will be asked to fill in the final questionnaires. You may if you wish, continue in your online group after the study ends.
Either (a) an online support group: you will be given information about an online support group for you to join. It is important to understand that this support group is not run by the researchers but it has been chosen by the researchers as a suitable forum for discussion of psychological problems.
Or (b) expressive writing: you will be given information about how to carry out an online expressive writing task.
Potential benefits and risks of the study
Research suggests that people can benefit from both expressive writing and taking part in online support groups. In online support groups giving and receiving support from others can be helpful while expressive writing about emotional issues can be cathartic.
However, while studies have shown that online support groups usually have a positive, supportive atmosphere, there is always a chance that this might not be the case. The online support group in this study is not controlled by the researchers and is open to any members of the public. It is possible that you could find it unhelpful or upsetting, because of how other people respond to your postings.
It is also 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. If you are upset by anything in the study, you are welcome to contact the researchers.
You can of course leave the group or the study at any time (see below).
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 or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to take part you will be given this information sheet to keep and be asked to fill out an online consent form. 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.
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 a set of online questionnaires shortly, and then again in three month’s time, then again in six month’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 US, Canada or the UK and I understand 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. An automated confirmation email will then be sent to you.
RECRUITMENT NOW CLOSED
Please ensure this address is entered correctly and you press the ‘I agree to take part’ button 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.
Back to top