Self-Acceptance and Sexual Behavior

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1. Self-Acceptance Instability and Its Implications for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

Dr. Thomas J. Bechard
(724)738-2422

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: is to study the relationship between self-acceptance and sexual behavior in gay and bisexual men. Your participation is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time and no one will hold it against you. Participation in the study will not affect your standing in the program. In addition, your participation in the study may be terminated without your consent, if the investigators determine it is unsafe for you to continue or you are not able to complete the research.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS:
self acceptance stability - evaluating ones self image as likeable
self-acceptance instability - evaluating ones self image as unlikeable
gay sexual behavior - men who have sex with men
bisexual sexual behavior - men who have sex with men and women

PROCEDURES: If you choose to participate, you will be asked to identify your sexual orientation as either gay or bisexual on a self-administered questionnaire composed of 251 questions. The questionnaires are distributed by the principal investigator through a secured website server address listed in the program newsletters. The study takes a time commitment of approximately one and a half (1.5) hours, allowing breaks for smaller segments of time. The study will be conducted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

CONFIDENTIALITY: Your confidentiality will be protected. Your personal information will be kept confidential because the surveys are sent by you to a secured website for collection and analysis without disclosure of your e-mail address. The intent is to publish the results of the study and to present the findings at meetings, without disclosure of your e-mail address, name of program, or location of program. Your confidentiality will be protected to the extent that is allowed by law. Normally, records of informed consent must be maintained for three years. However, since this survey is completely anonymous (no identifying data is collected), this will not be necessary. The principal investigator is responsible for the maintenance and retention of such records. At the conclusion of the study, all digital copies of the survey data (for example, Excel files) will be deleted from the hard drive of the principle investigator's computer.

RISKS / BENEFITS: There may be some discomfort due to the personal nature of the study questions. If you are uncomfortable with some of the questions, assistance is provided for you through your case manager at DAP during office hours. After office hours the AIDS HOTLINE will be available to you at 1-800-922-2437. Services you are receiving now, or may receive in the future will continue whether or not you participate. There are no direct benefits to you as a participant in the study.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION: You may print a copy of this consent form. If you have any questions or concerns now or at any time during the study, please contact the researcher at thomas.bechard@sru.edu. If you have questions about your rights as a participant in this study or the way the study has been conducted, you may contact the IRB office by e-mail at: irb@sru.edu.

AUTHORIZATION: I have read and understand this consent form, and I volunteer to participate in this research study. I understand that I may make print a copy of this form. I voluntarily choose to participate, but I understand that my consent does not take away any legal rights in the case of negligence or other legal fault of anyone who is involved in this study. I further understand that nothing in this consent form is intended to replace any applicable Federal, state or local laws.

Self-Acceptance Instability and Its Implications for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Dr. Thomas J. Bechard (724)738-2422 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: is to study the relationship between self-acceptance and sexual behavior in gay and bisexual men. Your participation is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time and no one will hold it against you. Participation in the study will not affect your standing in the program. In addition, your participation in the study may be terminated without your consent, if the investigators determine it is unsafe for you to continue or you are not able to complete the research. GLOSSARY OF TERMS: self acceptance stability - evaluating ones self image as likeable self-acceptance instability - evaluating ones self image as unlikeable gay sexual behavior - men who have sex with men bisexual sexual behavior - men who have sex with men and women PROCEDURES: If you choose to participate, you will be asked to identify your sexual orientation as either gay or bisexual on a self-administered questionnaire composed of 251 questions. The questionnaires are distributed by the principal investigator through a secured website server address listed in the program newsletters. The study takes a time commitment of approximately one and a half (1.5) hours, allowing breaks for smaller segments of time. The study will be conducted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010. CONFIDENTIALITY: Your confidentiality will be protected. Your personal information will be kept confidential because the surveys are sent by you to a secured website for collection and analysis without disclosure of your e-mail address. The intent is to publish the results of the study and to present the findings at meetings, without disclosure of your e-mail address, name of program, or location of program. Your confidentiality will be protected to the extent that is allowed by law. Normally, records of informed consent must be maintained for three years. However, since this survey is completely anonymous (no identifying data is collected), this will not be necessary. The principal investigator is responsible for the maintenance and retention of such records. At the conclusion of the study, all digital copies of the survey data (for example, Excel files) will be deleted from the hard drive of the principle investigator's computer. RISKS / BENEFITS: There may be some discomfort due to the personal nature of the study questions. If you are uncomfortable with some of the questions, assistance is provided for you through your case manager at DAP during office hours. After office hours the AIDS HOTLINE will be available to you at 1-800-922-2437. Services you are receiving now, or may receive in the future will continue whether or not you participate. There are no direct benefits to you as a participant in the study. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: You may print a copy of this consent form. If you have any questions or concerns now or at any time during the study, please contact the researcher at thomas.bechard@sru.edu. If you have questions about your rights as a participant in this study or the way the study has been conducted, you may contact the IRB office by e-mail at: irb@sru.edu. AUTHORIZATION: I have read and understand this consent form, and I volunteer to participate in this research study. I understand that I may make print a copy of this form. I voluntarily choose to participate, but I understand that my consent does not take away any legal rights in the case of negligence or other legal fault of anyone who is involved in this study. I further understand that nothing in this consent form is intended to replace any applicable Federal, state or local laws.   I agree to participate I choose not to participate