Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) Spiritual Metrics Survey

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Informed Consent Notice

Title of the Study:

Your Opinions and Beliefs about the World (~ 14 to 20 minutes)

Principle Investigator:

Patricia A. Deuster, PhD, MPH, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

You are being asked to participate in an online research study that examines how different world views relate to how someone feels and thinks. These questions may include: your beliefs about the self, others, and the world. There will be questions related to well-being. We are interested in the relationship between beliefs and well-being. This study will take 14 to 20 minutes to complete.

Study Procedures:

There is one session involved in this study. You will complete questions about your beliefs and perceptions about the world. We will also ask questions about any stressful-life events you may have experienced and how these events may have affected you. Any sensitive questions can be skipped if you do not wish to answer. The study will take 14 to 20 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will receive a confirmation code that verifies your participation for payment in MTurk.

Foreseeable Risks:

There is little risk from participating in this study. Some of the questions in this survey ask you to report on your reactions to a stressful life event you may have gone through. This can be stressful for some people. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the toll-free Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Trained crisis counselors are available anytime you call. You can also visit the “Where to get help for PTSD” resources webpage (http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp). There is also the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website (https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine). You can call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). The NAMI Helpline is available Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM, ET. To reach a trained counselor anytime for free support, you can also text “NAMI” to 741-741.

The risk of participation in this online study is similar to a person’s everyday use of the Internet. You may withdraw from this study at any time. Simply close your web browser. There is no negative effect. You can choose to not take part in this study.

Compensation for Participants:

You will receive $2.42 for completing the 14 to 20 minute survey. Federal employees (Civilian and Active Duty Military) must complete the survey in a non-duty status. There are no costs to you for taking part in this study.

Benefits to the Subjects or Others:

Because we cannot contact you about the results, there is no expected benefit to you. This study helps us better understand the link between beliefs and wellbeing.

Procedures for Maintaining Confidentiality of Research Records:

This survey is voluntary and private. We are not collecting any data that could identify you. The data cannot be traced back to you. Your answers will be stored on a secure, encrypted server. Once data collection is complete, all of the data will be removed from the server. The privacy of

your answers will be maintained. This includes any publications or presentations from this study. Researchers will make every effort to protect your privacy. Privacy will be maintained as much as possible using current technology and practices. There may be risks of information breaches. All your answers are completely anonymous throughout the survey.

Questions about the Study:

For questions about the study and compensation issues, email [email protected].

Privacy Advisory

Information is being collected in this survey under the authority of Title 10 (Armed Forces) United States Code (USC), Sections 3073 (Chaplains), 3547 (Duties: chaplains, assistance required of commanding officers), 5142 (Chaplain Corps and Chief of Chaplains), and 8067; CJCSI 3405.01 Chairman's Total Force Fitness Framework current as of 23 Sep 2013 and Joint Publication 1-05 Religious Affairs in Joint Operations of 20 November 2013. The information collected will be used to evaluate and measure spiritual fitness across the MHS landscape, as a part of the Total Force Fitness (TFF) Framework. This framework is a methodology for understanding, assessing, and maintaining Service Members' well-being and sustaining their ability to carry out missions.

Completing the Survey is voluntary; you may stop the Survey at any time and skip any questions you choose. There is no penalty if you choose not to respond, although maximum participation is encouraged so the data will be complete and representative.

Review for the Protection of Participants:

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) Institutional Review Board (IRB). If you have any questions on the rights of research subjects, call the USUHS IRB at (301) 295-3303.

Research Participants’ Rights:

By electronically signing below, you give your permission for your anonymous answers to be included in study results. The results of this study may be put in a journal or discussed at a conference. You will not be personally identified. All results are anonymous.

Clicking on the box below shows you have read or heard, understand, and agree to the following:

• This Informed Consent Notice has explained the study to you.

• You had a chance to contact the researcher with any questions about the study.

• You have been informed of the possible benefits.

• You have been informed of potential risks.

• You understand you do not have to take part in this study.

• Not taking part or withdrawing has no penalty or loss of rights.

• You understand why the study is being done.

• You understand that this study is a survey.

• You understand your rights as a research participant.

• You voluntarily consent to take part in this study.

• You may print a copy of this form for your records.

By clicking the "I Agree" button below you are saying that you understand your rights and you voluntarily consent to be in this study.

Yes, I agree to participate

No, I do not want to participate