Consent to Take Part in a Human Research Study

Title of research study: The Occupational Stress of Mental Health Professionals Practicing in Texas Correctional Settings: A Preliminary Examination.
Investigator: Manahil Riaz, student. This study is a part of the students’ dissertation, and conducted under the supervision of Dr. Bernard Robin. Why am I being invited to take part in a research study?
We invite you to take part in a research study because we need mental health professionals working full-time (more than 20hours per week), for the past 3 months to complete this survey. The completion of this survey should take about 10 to 15 minutes but you may take as long as you need.
What should I know about a research study?
• Someone will explain this research study to you.
• Whether or not you take part is up to you.
• You can choose not to take part.
• You can agree to take part and later change your mind.
• Your decision will not be held against you.
• You can ask all the questions you want before you decide, and can ask questions at any time during the study.
Why is this research being done?
The purpose of this research is to investigate work-related stress of mental health professionals. A potential benefit of participating in this study is a greater awareness of ones’ stress levels at work.
How long will the research last?
We expect that you will be in this research study for about 10 to 15 minutes however you may take as long as you need. This study is not timed.
Your participation is only required one time, meaning the researcher will not contact you again for any follow-up questions, clarifications or interview questions.
How many people will be studied?
We expect to enroll about 50 to 70 people in this research study.
What happens if I say yes, I want to be in this research?
If you say yes, you will complete a survey online, in the privacy of your computer. First, you will provide basic demographic information and then, you will fill out a stress questionnaire.
The demographic information not will disclose your identity. You will be asked to report: your age, gender, years of professional experience, and professional title.
The stress questionnaire is the Health and Safety Executive Indicator Tool assessment. It is a 35-item-questionaire that asks your opinion about stress at work.
We encourage you to reflect and answer the most honest way.
What happens if I do not want to be in this research?
You can choose not to take part in the research and it will not be held against you. You may discontinue the study at anytime. Choosing not to take part will involve no penalty or loss of benefit to which you are otherwise entitled.
What happens if I say yes, but I change my mind later?
You can leave the research at any time it will not be held against you.
If you decide to leave the research study, you may exit the survey website by closing the window from your computer.  If you decide to leave the research, your survey will be discarded.
Is there any way being in this study could be bad for me?
There are minimum foreseeable risks related to the procedures conducted as part of this study. If you choose to take part and undergo a negative event you feel is related to the study, please inform me.
There is little to no one physical, social, legal and economic risk related to this study; however, there may be a chance of some psychological risk. Because you are asked to reflect on your work-related stress, you may feel some discomfort. The probability of emotional stress is low, the magnitude of stress may be manageable and duration time is little.
A way to mitigate these feelings, the researcher will provide online resources on work-related stress at the end of the survey.
Will I get anything for being in this study?
There will no remunerations, or payments for participating in the study.
Will being in this study help me in any way?
We cannot promise any benefits to you or others from your taking part in this research. However, possible benefits include having a greater awareness of ones’ stress levels at work
What happens to the information collected for the research?
Your taking part in this project is anonymous, and information you provide cannot be linked to your identity. Non-identifying demographic information and survey answers will be discarded after data analysis.
We may publish the results of this research.
Can I be removed from the research without my OK?
The person in charge of the research study is Manahil Riaz, and Dr. Bernard Robin and they can remove you from the research study without your approval. Possible reasons for removal include uncompleted survey.
Who can I talk to?
If you have questions, concerns, or complaints, or think the research has hurt you, you should talk to the research supervisor, Dr. Bernard Robin. He can be reached by email at brobin@uh.edu. He can be reach by telephone at 713-743-4952.
This research has been reviewed and approved by the University of Houston Institutional Review Board (IRB). You may also talk to them at (713) 743-9204 or cphs@central.uh.edu if:
• Your questions, concerns, or complaints are not being answered by the research team.
• You cannot reach the research team.
• You want to talk to someone besides the research team.
• You have questions about your rights as a research subject.
• You want to get information or provide input about this research.