Relationship Dynamics Survey

Consent to Participate in Internet Research

Question Title

* 1. Identification of Investigator and Purpose of Study

You are invited to participate in a research study on Relationship Dynamics. The study is being conducted by Dr. Lauretta Reeves, Psychology Department of The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keaton Street, Austin, TX 78712, email: relationshipdynamics@austin.utexas.edu

You may answer this questionnaire about either a current relationship OR a past relationship (as long as you were married and/or cohabitating for at least a year). Please answer the survey about only ONE relationship.

The purpose of this research study is to examine similarities and differences among couples who have been married/living together (or previously lived together) in a stable relationship for at least 1 year, OR whose relationship history has included divorce/a breakup, and/or infidelity. Your participation in the study will contribute to a better understanding of relationship and marriage outcomes. You are free to contact the investigator at the above address and phone number to ask questions about the study. You must be at least 18 years old to participate, and should answer the questionnaire about ONE relationship only. This relationship can have existed in the past.

-You must be age 18 or older to participate, and be willing to answer questions about a relationship that falls into one of the following categories:

A: Cohabitating/Married, with no divorce or known history of infidelity

B: Reconciliation after your partner/spouse engaged in infidelity

C: Divorce or Breakup (or pending Divorce/Breakup) after your partner/spouse engaged in infidelity

D: Divorced/Broken up (or in the process of Divorcing/Breaking up) for reasons NOT including infidelity.

I have read and understand.

Question Title

* 2. Identification of Investigator and Purpose of Study

If you agree to participate:

● The questionnaire will take approximately 2-3 hours of your time. The account you set up to participate in the study allows you to complete the questionnaire over several sessions. All you have to do is finish a page (to save all your answers), exit, and re-enter the questionnaire later.

While we realize the questionnaire is long, we are attempting to collect as much information as possible to be able to make personal and policy recommendations surrounding relationships, infidelity, and divorce.

● The questionnaire is designed to find out about relationship/marriage dynamics. It includes questions about:
demographic information (e.g., educational history)
relationship history (such as how you met)
your perceptions of the relationship (e.g., decision making, compatibility, shared values)
interactions between you and your partner/spouse
personality traits of you and your partner/spouse (or former partner/spouse)
physical intimacy
*stressors during the relationship/marriage (e.g., illnesses, unemployment, substance abuse, etc.)

● If you are in the one of the Infidelity groups, you will also be asked about details about incidences of infidelity.

● If you are in one of the Divorce/Breakup groups (either with or without Infidelity), you will also be asked questions about the reasons for the divorce.

●Some of the questions may touch on emotionally sensitive topics, such as frequent arguments in the relationship, the possibility of emotional or physical abuse, health (including sexually transmitted diseases, if relevant), & personal stressors you may have suffered in childhood or adulthood (including alcohol or substance abuse in your family, potential exposure to crimes, etc.).

● Some questions will require written answers, others will only require that you check a box/boxes, or answer your agreement with a statement on a 1-5 (or 1-7) scale.

● You will not be compensated for your participation, but the experimenter will donate up to $500 to charities once the study is complete. Apportionment of that $500 will be based on participant votes (you may vote on your top charity out of 6 on page 5 of this survey).

I have read and understand

Question Title

* 3. Risks/Benefits/Confidentiality of Data

Risks: Given the nature of the study, the questionnaire you are about to answer contains sensitive information which might cause sad memories or discomfort. A list of hotlines that you may call if you feel upset will appear on the page 3 of the survey. Feel free to print out the list of hotlines or screen shot the page for later use.

If at any point you feel distressed, feel free to complete the questions on a given page (to make sure your answers are saved), then exit the questionnaire and return at a different time, if you wish. You may discontinue your participation at any time.

There are no costs for participating.

Benefits: Studies have shown that writing about experiences can be beneficial and/or therapeutic (Pennebaker, 1997).

Confidentiality: ALL DATA WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL. Researchers will NOT identify individual respondents.

There were two ways to access this survey:

If you accessed the survey using the first (preferred) method, you can use the email that you provided to get into the survey multiple times. If you do not complete the survey within 2 weeks, you will receive an automated reminder by email. However, we will delete ALL emails so that your email (including any burner email you created) is not linked to your data.

if you accessed this survey using the QR code or link provided, you must either (a) finish the survey in one session, or (b) use the same computer/table/phone and do NOT use a VPN as the survey will use your IP address to let you pick back up on an unfinished survey.

A limited number of trained research team members will have access to the data during data collection. Data will be stored on a password-protected and encrypted electronic file (UTBOX) owned by the university. Your information will NOT be used or distributed for future research studies.

Privacy: We will never ask for your name or other specifically identifying information. You are free to take the survey in a private room or area of your choosing.

I have read and understand.

Question Title

* 4. Participation or Withdrawing from the Study

Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may decline to answer any question, and you have the right to withdraw from participation at any time. Withdrawal will not affect your relationship with The University of Texas at Austin in any way. If you do not want to participate, either simply stop participating or close the browser window.

If you have any questions, you may email us at relationshipdynamics@austin.utexas.edu

I have read and understand.

Question Title

* 5. Contacts

If you have any questions about the study, contact the researcher Dr. Lauretta Reeves by email at relationshipdynamics@austin.utexas.edu

This study has been reviewed by The University of Texas at Austin Institutional Review Board and the study number is 00007420.

If you have questions about your rights or are dissatisfied at any time with any part of this study, you can contact, anonymously if you wish, the University of Texas at Austin Institutional Review Board by phone at (512) 232-1543 or email them at irb@austin.utexas.edu.

I have read and understand.

Question Title

* 6. To protect your confidentiality, no signature is required. Please indicate below if you wish to participate in this study.

I confirm that I am age 18 years or older. I have read the above information on Informed Consent, and wish to participate in this study.

I do NOT wish to participate in this study.

I am under 18 years of age. [Thank you for your interest! For legal reasons, we can only allow people to participate in the study who are 18 or older, but are happy to have you return to participate when you turn 18!]