Please read the following informed consent form and check the box to proceed.
INTRODUCTION
The Charis Institute at Regent University is conducting a study of clergy and spouse well-being and help-seeking. The purpose of this research is to understand the well-being, occupational stress, and help-seeking attitudes of pastors and spouses in the United States. The purposes of this form are to give you information that may affect your decision whether to say YES or NO to participation in this research, and to record the consent of those who say YES.
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH STUDY
Several studies have been conducted looking into the subject of clergy and spouses well-being and help-seeking. The purpose of this research is to understand the well-being, occupational stress, and help-seeking attitudes of pastors and spouses of pastors in the United States.
If you decide to participate, then you will join a study involving research of pastors and spouses of pastors in part- or full-time ministry. This includes lead pastors and associate/executive pastors. It is expected that this survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Approximately 200-400 participants will complete this survey.
EXCLUSIONARY CRITERIA
To participate you should be currently serving in a full- or part-time pastoral role and or are married to a pastor serving in a full or part time role. Employees in other church or para-church ministry who do not carry the identifying occupation of PASTOR or are not married to a pastor should NOT participate.
RISKS AND BENEFITS
RISKS: If you decide to participate in this study, then you may face a risk of feeling uncomfortable, sad, or anxious when reading some of the survey questions. The researcher tried to reduce these risks by using scales that have been widely used in previous research and have not been shown to cause harm. And, as with any research, there is some possibility that you may be subject to risks that have not yet been identified.
BENEFITS: The benefits of this research include assisting in understanding the needs and views of pastors and spouses and helping develop targeted strategies to improve pastors’ and spouse’s wellness.
COSTS AND PAYMENTS
The researchers are unable to give you any payment for participating in this study.
NEW INFORMATION
If the researchers find new information during this study that would reasonably change your decision about participating, then they will give it to you.
FUTURE RESEARCH
The researchers may use your responses to this survey for future research without further informed consent.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All information obtained about you in this study is strictly confidential unless disclosure is required by law. The results of this study may be used in reports, presentations and publications, but the researcher will not identify you. No identifying information will be required of you and your responses will not be able to be linked to you.
WITHDRAWAL PRIVILEGE
You are asked to complete the survey in its entirety to be included in the study, but you may stop at any time if you no longer wish to participate.
COMPENSATION FOR ILLNESS AND INJURY
If you say YES, then your consent in this document does not waive any of your legal rights. However, in the event of any harm arising from this study, neither Regent University nor the researchers are able to give you any money, insurance coverage, free medical care, or any other compensation for such injury. In the event that you suffer injury as a result of participation in this research project, you may contact the researchers at Charis institute at charis@regent.edu or the department research ethics manager for this project, Dr Garzon, fgarzon@regent.edu.