Welcome

I invite you to participate in a research study. I am a doctoral learner at Capella University in the School of Psychology. I am conducting this research to complete my degree. I will write a paper about the research findings. This form will help you decide if you want to participate in my research. Participation in this research is voluntary.

If you have questions about the research, please ask me. I may be contacted at mhoogerwerf@capellauniversity.edu. Please let me know if you would like more time to think about your participation. You may also want to discuss your participation with people close to you.   

WHAT IS THIS STUDY ABOUT?

I want to learn about sense of belonging, campus support, and individual self-esteem and how they relate to the individual well-being for sexual minority college students.
 
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

You might want to participate because the results of this study could assist university faculty, staff, and administrators understand how to serve as agents of change to better meet the needs of their sexual minority students. Results may also aid in assisting universities to develop LGBTQ+ inclusive policies, resource centers, and LGBTQ student organizations likely to contribute to peer support, community, sense of belonging, and positive psychological well-being. 

WILL PARTICIPATION HELP YOU OR OTHERS?

Participation in this study will not directly help you. Information from this study might help researchers or universities in the future.

WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

You might not want to participate, as there is not a direct benefit to you. 

ARE THERE RISKS TO YOU IF YOU PARTICIPATE?

This is a minimal risk study. Any discomfort should not be greater than discomfort you experience in daily life or in routine tests. You can stop participation at any time.
 
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THE STUDY?
 
You are eligible for the study if you are a sexual minority student that self-identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning or transgendered, if you are a currently enrolled full-time undergraduate student attending courses on-campus at a 4-year university, have completed at least one term, and between the ages of 18-25 years old.
 
YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IF:
 
You should not participate in the study if you have had a recent suicide attempt or serious thoughts of suicide in the last 30 days. 
 
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, talk to someone now! Please call: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255.

About 80 participants will be in this study.
 
WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THIS STUDY?
 
If you participate, you will complete the following activities:
Answer 55 questions about yourself. This will take 15-20 minutes.

WHAT KINDS OF PERSONAL DATA WILL I COLLECT FROM YOU?

Age, sexual orientation, current on-campus enrollment.

ARE THERE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT MIGHT HELP YOU?

There are no alternative procedures relevant to the study. 

HOW LONG WILL YOU BE IN THE STUDY?

If you decide to be in this study, your total participation will last 20 minutes. 

WILL YOU GET PAID?

You will be paid $2 for your completed survey.


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