What is a research study?
A research study is a way to find out new information about something. We designed three different web-based activities for teens, each teaching a different way of dealing with stress, anxiety, sadness, and other tough emotions. The goal these activities is to give teens a chance to learn new ways of dealing with stress while helping other teens to do the same. With this study, we want to see how well these treatments work online, when given to teens like you.
You may find the activities you do today to be interesting and helpful. And just as important, our research team hopes to use your thoughts and opinions on these activities to create new programs and supports for kids just like you who may be facing tough times in their lives.
Do you have to be in the study?
You do not have to be in this study. It is up to you. You can say okay now to be in the study and change your mind later. All you have to do is close out of this window if you want to stop. No one will be upset if you don’t want to be in the study or if you change your mind later. You can take time to think about being in the study before you decide.
Why are you being asked to be part of this research study?
You are being asked to join the research study because you are a teenager (aged 13-17 years old) who is interested in learning about new ways to deal with stress, anxiety, sadness, and other emotions. Around 2,000 other teenagers will be in this study.
If you join the research study, what will you be asked to do?
If you participate in this research study, you will be asked to:
1) TRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES. Try out one of three different web-based activities, which talk about different ways of coping with stress, anxiety, sadness, and other tough emotions. Each activity will take about 30 minutes to do, and you can do it by yourself, when and where you want. You can skip any question and also take breaks and go back to it when you want to.
2) TELL US WHAT YOU THINK. Before and after each activity, we will ask you some questions about your mood, your thoughts, and what you thought of the activity - including ways you think we can make it even better for teens in the future.
3) SHARE YOUR ADVICE WITH OTHERS. After you finish an activity, you will have a chance to share your best advice to other teens who may be struggling with their thoughts or emotions based on what you learned in the activity. If you tell us it’s okay, we will post your advice on the project website for other teens to read! We will never post any information that would tell others who you are. We won’t ever ask for your name or anything about who you are as part of our study.
We guess that this study will take about 40 minutes — 10 minutes answering questions, plus a 30-minute activity. If you choose to do another activity, this will take another 40 minutes.
Will any part of the study hurt or be uncomfortable?
We think that answering questions about your mental health, sexuality, or gender may be uncomfortable or hard to do.
Will the study help you or others?
Activities like the ones you’ll complete in this study have helped other teenagers with their mental health. The activity you complete might help you to find new ways to manage your feelings and thoughts. That said, we do not know for sure whether this study will help you.
By being in this study, we may learn something that will help other teenagers like you.
Will anyone else know that you are in this study?
We will not tell anyone else that you are in this study. The information that you share in the study will be handled confidentially (privately). You do not have to tell anyone about the study or anything that you do or say while you participate in the study, even your parents/guardians. If you would like to tell them, you can.
Who will see the information collected about you?
The researcher will take steps to keep your information safe throughout this study. For example, you will not be asked to share information about your identity (who you are), and no information about your individual identity will be included when we write our final report.
Limits to confidentiality
Before you begin, please know that the information you provide may be collected and used by Qualtrics according to its privacy agreement. This study is only for people who live in the U.S. Please do the study when you’re alone and through a secured Internet connection for your privacy. Your privacy will be maintained as much as is possible by the technology you use. We cannot be completely sure that an outside person will not find your responses.
What do you get for being in the study?
You will not be paid for participating in this study.
What if you have questions?
You can ask any questions that you have about the study at any time. Just email the researcher at foxlab@du.edu to let them know that you have a question.