Fatherless Daughter Survey Question Title * 1. INFORMED CONSENTTitle: Exploring the Experience of Being a Fatherless DaughterPrincipal Investigators: Karin L. Smithson, Ph.D and Denna Babul, R.N.IntroductionYou are invited to participate in a 15 minute research study. The purpose of the study is to look at fatherless daughters' lives, exploring their social, emotional physical and relational development. You are invited to participate because you are a fatherless daughter. We will ask about your present and past developmental experiences as well as your hope for the future. Between 100-1,000 women will participate in this study. ProceduresIf you decide to participate, you will complete a one-time survey on a secure website. You will be asked to answer a series of questions. Your answers to these questions will be recorded on the website database but will remain confidential. RisksWe expect this survey to help you think and reflect on your life. It is possible that participating in this study may cause you to become emotional. If you become emotionally upset and want to talk to a mental health professional, please contact the primary researcher, Dr. Karin L. Smithson. She can be reached at Karin@doctorkarin.com or 678-232-8700 for a referral. The primary researcher is the co-founder of The Fatherless Daughter Project. In cases of referral, you will pay for all related costs.Benefits Participation in this study may not benefit you personally, although we hope that you gain insight about your relationship with your father, family, and self. Mostly, we hope that you reach a higher, healthier level of self awareness. Overall, we hope to gain information about fathered and fatherless daughters to share with others.Voluntary Participation and WithdrawalParticipation in this research is voluntary. You do not have to be in this study. You may refuse to participate at any time without penalty. You may stop or choose to not answer a question. ConfidentialityAll information you provide will be kept confidential, as permitted by the law. Dr. Karin Smithson and Denna Babul will have access to the information you provide.The information you provide will be stored on Karin Smithson’s password and firewall protected computer. You will not be identified personally. The findings will be summarized and reported in group form and will be included in our book and/or documentary, "Fatherless Daughters," and referenced as we speak on the subject through media or personal appearances.Contact PersonsPlease contact Dr. Karin L. Smithson (678-232-8700; Karin@doctorkarin.com) or Denna Babul (404-790-3152; DennaBabul@gmail.com) if you have questions about this study. Copy of Consent Form to Subject:You may download or print a copy of this consent form to keep. If you are willing to volunteer for this study, please check the box below. I agree to participate in this survey (start survey) Question Title * 2. How old are you? 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-70 Older Question Title * 3. What is your ethnicity? (Please select all that apply.) American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian or Pacific Islander Black or African American Hispanic or Latino White / Caucasian Prefer not to answer Other (please specify) Question Title * 4. EWhat is your highest level of education? Some high school GED High School Professional license Some college 2 year degree 4 year bachelor's degree Master's degree Doctorate degree Question Title * 5. Which of the following best describes your current occupation? Business & Management Computer & Technology Architecture & Engineering Healthcare (Social work, therapist, nurse, etc.) Community & Social Service Attorney & Legal Work Education Arts, Design, Entertainment, PR Physical Therapy, Sports Law enforcement Food Preparation and Service Building & Maintenance Personal Care & Service Sales Office & Administrative Support Community Volunteer / Fundraiser Stay at home Mom Student Unemployed Disabled Question Title * 6. How did you become fatherless? My father ... (check all that apply) Died Divorced my Mom Abandoned the family Was emotionally unavailable Was incarcerated Was an addict Was abusive Gave me up for adoption Never met me Moved far away Had mental illness Question Title * 7. How old were you when your father passed away or became absent? Before Birth 0 - 5 years 6 - 10 years 11 - 15 years 16 - 20 years 21 - 30 years Over 30 He never knew about me Question Title * 8. What was your family's financial situation after your father was gone? (Check all that apply.) We were financially stable. We were somewhat financially stable. I had to go to work at a young age. Mom had to work multiple jobs. Mom got disability. We were at the poverty level. Question Title * 9. Please select any behavior or substance, if any, that you might have struggled with (or became addicted to) after your father loss (check all that apply). Alcohol Illegal Drugs Prescription drugs Over the counter drugs Sex Food Anorexia/Bulimia Shopping Internet (dating websites, gaming, etc.) None of the above Question Title * 10. Please select the challenging ways, if any, that you believe your fatherlessness affected your life (check all that apply). Fear of being abandoned Little understanding of how to act in male-female relationships Discomfort around men Fear of commitment Sexual promiscuity for a time Sexual avoidance for a time Victim of violence None of the above I have not been affected Question Title * 11. Please select the way(s), if any, that you have tried to cope with the loss of your father, if any. Sexual promiscuity Sexual avoidance Isolating Running away from home Committing crime(s) Cutting Suicidal thoughts Suicide attempts None of the above Question Title * 12. Please select the people, if any, that have helped you cope with your loss in a positive way (check all that apply). Friend(s) Significant other Mother Sibling Grandparent Step-father Stand-in father figure Other Family Teacher / Coach Pastor / Rabbi / Priest Therapist / Counselor Medium / Clairvoyant / Psychic None of the above Question Title * 13. Please select any positive things that you did to cope with the loss of your father (select all that apply). Time in nature Traveling / An adventure Holistic health Physical fitness Ran a marathon / triathalon Time with animals / pet Writing / Journaling / poetry Painting / Sculpting / Drawing Listening to music Playing an instrument New career / Starting a company Volunteering Dancing Humor / Laughing Seeking higher education Religious / spiritual practices Meditation Therapy / Group Therapy Becoming sober Self-help / Inspirational reading Weekend conference / seminar None of the above Question Title * 14. If your father is still alive, do you wish to connect with him? Yes, I already have Yes, I plan to Yes, but I am too afraid Yes, but he does not want me in his life Undecided No My father is deceased Other (please specify) Question Title * 15. If you have been engaged, how many times? Once Twice Three times More than 3 times I have never been engaged Question Title * 16. If you have been married or partnered, how many times? Once Twice Three times More than three times I have never been married or partnered Question Title * 17. Do you believe that your father loss has affected your decisions about intimacy/sex? Yes No Not Sure Question Title * 18. Are you a mother? Yes No Other (please specify) Question Title * 19. If you have children, has your father loss affected you as a mother? Yes No Maybe Question Title * 20. Please select the positive things you have gained in your life, if any, despite your loss (check all that apply). Resiliency Soul of a Survivor Forgiveness Peace Self-Confidence Ability to be a strong friend Friends who are like family Closer relationship with my Mom Closer relationship with my sibling(s) Love Artistic / Creative abilities Intuitive abilities Closer relationship with God / a Higher Power Higher spiritual awareness Professional success Meaningful life Health Deeper self awareness Fulfillment through giving back My degree Happiness None of the above Question Title * 21. What would you say to your Dad if you could? (Check all that apply.) I have nothing to say to him. I miss you. I am angry with you. I needed you. I forgive you. I do not forgive you. I wish I could have helped you. I wish we had more time together. I am glad you are not in my life. I wish you were still in my life. You have no idea how much pain I have been in. Why did you leave? Why didn't you love me more? Do you love me now? I have questions. I don't know what I would say to him Question Title * 22. What are some days, if any, that have been difficult for you since your father left? (Check all that apply.) The anniversary of Dad's death Dad's birthday My birthday Father's Day Christmas / Hanukkah Thanksgiving When I reached the age he was when he died / left When my child reached the age I was when he died / left When I graduated My Wedding Day When I was sick or hospitalized When I had children My children's life events (birthdays, Grandparent's Day, etc.) None of the above Question Title * 23. If you had siblings, how did your father's absence affect your relationship, if at all? (check all that apply) We got closer We dealt with things very differently We learned to understand each other's struggles I have had to take care of my sibling(s) We fought more We rarely speak I got closer with one sibling and less close to the other We are estranged My sibling passed away Our relationship was not affected I do not know my sibling(s) I do not have any siblings Question Title * 24. If your father is still alive, did he remarry? Yes No Yes, more than once I don't know My father is deceased Other (please specify) Question Title * 25. My father loss: Was the biggest loss in my life and changed my life's trajectory. Was one of the biggest losses in my life. Changed my life in some ways. Did not really affect me. Was a good thing for my life. I don't know None of the above Question Title * 26. When, if at all, did you realize how your father loss was affecting your life? (Check all that apply.) I have not realized that. As soon as it happened. Within 5 years of my loss. 5-10 years after my loss. 10-20 years after my loss. Over 20 years after my loss. After a heartbreak. When someone else I loved died. When I went into therapy. It did not affect my life. None of the above. Question Title * 27. How often do you think about your father loss? Daily Every few days Weekly Monthly Hardly ever Never Question Title * 28. How, if at all, did your relationship with your mother change when your father died / left? Our relationship stayed the same. Our relationship changed dramatically. Our relationship changed in some ways. I started taking care of her. She took better care of me. We got closer. We got further apart. She became depressed. She became more present. She was hardly home because of work. She was hardly home because of dating / going out. She worked hard, and I am grateful. She found a boyfriend / husband too quickly. She became my rock. She abandoned me. My mother is not in my life. My mother is deceased. None of the above. Question Title * 29. What areas of your life, if any, were impacted by the loss of your father? (check all that apply) Emotional Physical Mental Spiritual Medical Psychological Academic Financial Relational Sexual Professional None of the above Question Title * 30. How would you describe your relationship with your mother now? Extremely close Close Somewhat close Not Close We have no contact Sometimes close, sometimes not close She passed away Question Title * 31. Where are you on grieving the loss of your father, if at all? I did not need to grieve the loss I have not started to grieve I am working through it I am almost through it I have gotten help and worked through it as best I can I have found acceptance, peace and forgiveness for what happened None of the above Other (please specify) Question Title * 32. Have you received therapy, counseling or life coaching for issues related to your father loss? Yes No Question Title * 33. How well did/do you know your father? (likes, dislikes, personality, history, etc.) Knew him very well Knew him somewhat Knew very little about him Did not know him at all Never met him Question Title * 34. How often do you see, or talk to, your father's side of the family? Very often As often as we can Once a year Very seldom Never We have no contact I have not met my father's family Question Title * 35. Do you think that you have a fear of commitment? Yes No Sometimes I used to I am not sure Question Title * 36. Are you the breadwinner of your family? Yes No My spouse / partner and I split expenses evenly I do not have a partner / spouse Question Title * 37. Have you ever tested a man by leaving him to see if he will come back for you? Yes, many times Yes, a few times Yes, once No I have never been in a relationship I don't know Question Title * 38. How would you describe yourself now? (Check all that apply.) Very confident, not afraid of anything Mostly confident Sometimes confident, sometimes afraid Mostly anxious or afraid Not confident at all - I do not feel 'good enough' None of the above Question Title * 39. Do you feel like you would have accomplished more in your life if your Dad was around for it? Yes No Maybe Other (please specify) Question Title * 40. How have you learned things about your father (check all that apply)? From him My Mom His family My siblings Other family His friends Through my memories By reading letters, clippings, journals, etc. By looking online I haven't learned about him None of the above Question Title * 41. If you had a 'stand in' father figure in your life, who was it? Mom Step-father Adoptive father Uncle Big brother Grandfather Family friend I did not have a stand-in father figure Other (please specify) Question Title * 42. Do you consider your father a 'good man?' Yes No I don't know Question Title * 43. If you answered "No" to the previous question, do you feel guilt or shame not considering your Dad a 'Good Man?' Yes No Somewhat Question Title * 44. Have you ever taken care of your Mother financially? Yes No Somewhat My mother is not in my life / deceased Question Title * 45. Have you ever taken care of your mother emotionally? Yes No Somewhat My mother is not in my life / deceased Question Title * 46. When your father became absent, did your mother turn to you as more of a friend than a daughter for a time? No Somewhat Yes, but I was really too young to deal with adult issues Yes, and it brought us closer Question Title * 47. Does/did your mother seem to make good choices regarding relationships with men? Yes No Sometimes I don't know Question Title * 48. Do you have a deeper understanding today of what your mother went through when she lost your father? Yes No Somewhat Question Title * 49. Does, or did, your Mom speak poorly about your Dad, if at all? Yes No Somewhat She does not speak about my Dad She is not in my life Question Title * 50. Do you think that you have anger issues? No Yes, but I don't know why Yes, and I know why Somewhat I don't know Question Title * 51. Do you tend to be the one that friends turn to for advice? Yes No Sometimes Question Title * 52. Do you consider yourself aggressive or headstrong? No Yes Somewhat Question Title * 53. Do you have friends that you feel are more like family? Yes No Question Title * 54. How did/do you know that your Dad loved you? I never knew if he loved me Through his words Through his actions By the time he spent with me By the gifts he bought me Because my Mother told me None of the above Question Title * 55. What do you do on Father's Day? (Select all that apply.) Ignore it Spend it with my mom Spend it with my stand-in father Spend it with other family Spend it with my husband / kids Spend it alone Cry or feel sad Feel angry Do something good for myself Question Title * 56. Do you feel like it takes you longer than most to get over a broken heart? Yes No Sometimes At one time it did I don't know Question Title * 57. How have you learned to set standards & boundaries in opposite sex relationships? (select all that apply.) I am still trying to figure them out My Mom My Dad My Brother My Uncle My Step-Father My stand-in Father Reading books Watching tv/movies By myself Through therapy/counseling Friends None of the above Question Title * 58. What are you most afraid of? Being abandoned again Not feeling loved Going broke Illness / Dying too young Having someone else I love pass away None of the above Other (please specify) Question Title * 59. What one word or phrase would you use to describe yourself today? Question Title * 60. What goal do you have for your life and happiness? Done