Help-Seeking Behaviors of Adult Men in Partner Abuse (I)
Consent Cover Letter and Survey
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
GRADUATE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
Dear Participants,
You are being invited to be one of approximately 250 participants to participate in a survey administered by the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work entitled “Help-Seeking Behaviors of Adult Men in Partner Abuse.” The purpose of this survey is to collect data on the help-seeking behaviors and experience of male victims and survivors in partner abuse, and their opinion on existing services. Partner abuse is defined as two people in a relationship in which one partner attempts to maintain power and control over the other through use of physical, sexual, psychological, stalking and/or economic coercion. The term “partner” refers to current and former spouse and dating partner.
This study is conducted through an “online survey” with intimate partner abuse male victims/survivors residing in the United States, and aged 18 or older who have access to the computer-delivered survey at their own discretion and convenience. A paper survey will also be available if you have no access to a computer by indicating “paper survey” with a returned address by mail or email to Venus Tsui (see address below) and your address will not be kept by the researchers after the mailing. You are welcome to invite other men who were or have been abused by their partner to participate in the survey by forwarding this email or cover letter to them. The results from this research project will be used for education, research, publication and grant application purposes.
Your participation is entirely VOLUNTARY and ANONYMOUS. To protect anonymity and confidentiality of your responses, please do NOT include your name on the survey. Since the data gathered from this research will not be connected with you (or any participants) personally, we will not be able to exclude your data after your submission.
The survey has two parts: Part I takes about 20 minutes and contains questions regarding experiencing abuse in an intimate relationship. Part II takes about 5-20 minutes and asks about your stories and experiences about the abuse and the helping process. By filling out and submitting the survey, you are consenting to participate in this study.
Filling out this survey will not have any foreseeable risks. Since some of the questions may be regarded as sensitive as they pertain to partner abuse issues, you may choose not to answer any of the questions, or decide to terminate your participation at any time, or decide not to submit your responses of the completed survey. If you have emotional discomfort in answering the questions or after submitting the survey, the Principal Investigator Dr. Monit Cheung who is a licensed clinical social worker will offer counseling and assistance, and all information will be kept confidential. Besides, you may call the numbers provided on Useful Resources for Men in Partner Abuse (pdf) attached at the end of the survey, or contact your personal therapist for help.
For any questions regarding this survey or for obtaining a paper survey, please contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Monit Cheung, or Co-Principal Investigator, Ms. Venus Tsui, at the Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, at 713-743-8107, 713-743-8115 or 832-755-0933 or email at sftsui@mail.uh.edu.
ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR RIGHTS AS A RESEARCH SUBJECT MAY BE ADDRESSED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON COMMITTEE FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS (713-743-9204). ALL RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ARE CARRIED OUT BY INVESTIGATORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ARE GOVERNED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. (Protocol #10148-01)