Principal Investigator: Dr. Jessica Cataldo
You are invited to participate in this research project titled “Role Strain & Volunteerism among Women Pilot Study.”
Study Summary: This consent form is part of an informed consent process for a research study, and it will provide information that will help you decide whether you want to take part in this study. Participation in this study is completely voluntary. You may choose not to answer any question.
The purpose of the research is to examine the relationship between role strain, role overload, and role conflict on volunteerism and mental well-being among women. This survey was developed based on the findings from a prior focus group study and was tested with a small group to check for reliability and validity.
If you take part in the research, you will be asked to complete a survey. Your replies will be completely anonymous, so do not put your name anywhere on the survey. Your time in the study will take approximately 10 minutes. Possible risks and costs to you for taking part in the study may be discomfort from answering sensitive questions and time to complete a survey. There are no direct benefits from participation; however, your participation will help us better understand how volunteerism intersects with personal and professional responsibilities and can help share future practices to reduce volunteer burnout. Your alternative to taking part in the research study is not to take part in it.
The de-identified (anonymous) information collected for this research may be used by or distributed to investigators for other research without obtaining informed consent from you.
Should you have any questions before or during the study, you can contact Dr. Jessica Cataldo at 269-387-8450, jessica.cataldo@wmich.edu, or wmurolestudy@gmail.com. You may also contact the Chair, Institutional Review Board at 269-387-8293 or the Vice President for Research and Innovation at 269-387-8298. This study, done in conjunction with the Association of Junior Leagues International, was approved by the Western Michigan University Institutional Review Board (WMU IRB) on October 27, 2025.