1. Welcome to our survey

Dear Participant,

You are invited to take part in our study about the impact of Islamophobia and Muslim American experiences with religious discrimination.  This study assesses the effect of Islamophobia on Muslim Americans and examines their strategies for coping with religion-based discrimination and the Post Trump Stress Disorder (PTSD) election campaign in 2020. By ”Islamophobia” we mean fear of Muslims and negative attitudes towards Muslims and the religion of Islam. Ultimately, the results of the study may be published or presented at professional conferences. Information from this study may benefit the Muslim community in the future. Specifically, we hope to be able to recommend more specific preventive programs and services nationally for all Muslim-Americans. We are also planning to increase public and mental health providers’ awareness of available preventive methods and services.

More information: To participate in this study you must be self-identified as a Muslim, be 18 years or older, reside in the USA, and select a YES answer before you take part in the study.  Once we have confirmed that you are eligible, you will be asked a series of questions. These questions first inquire about your racial/ethnic and other demographic backgrounds. The survey then asks about your experiences with religious discrimination (Islamophobia) and coping strategies. Completing the survey should take no longer than 15-20 minutes.

Potential Risks: There are no reasonably foreseeable (or expected) risks associated with your participation in the study. However, certain questions about participants’ experiences with religious discrimination or Islamophobia may cause some participants to experience stress or emotional discomfort. Before taking part in this study, you should consider whether recalling experiences of religious discrimination would be too upsetting for you. To minimize any possible anxiety, you have the choice to skip questions, and or withdraw from the survey. If you need help coping with stress related to this study or any experiences with Islamophobia, please contact The Institute of Muslim Mental Health by clicking on the following link to find a therapist in your area:
http://www.muslimmentalhealth.com/mmh/directory?task=search&sid=1

Potential Benefits: As a participant in this research study, there will be no direct benefits to you. However, participating in the study will provide an opportunity to reflect on your own experiences. Some participants may benefit from this study if it results in their seeking help to address any fears or anxiety they may have about religious discrimination or stressors.
Confidentiality: Your identity as a participant in this research study will be kept confidential in any publication of the results of this study. The information obtained during this research (research records) will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. However, this research record may be reviewed by government agencies (such as the Department of Health and Human Services), the agency sponsoring this research, individuals who are authorized to monitor or audit the research or the Institutional Review Board (the committee that oversees all research in human subjects at Adelphi University and Capella University), if required by applicable laws or regulations. All research materials including analyses and documents will be stored in a secure location at Dr. Abu-Ras’ office. All electronically stored data will be password protected during the storage period. To minimize the risk of breach of confidentiality, and to keep the survey link secure and untraceable, the investigators will not collect IP addresses and will work very closely with the Information Technology Department staff at Adelphi University, to seek their advice and knowledge on the most developed programs and methods regarding anti-phishing filters. We will not include any information in any report we may publish that would make it possible to identify you.

Compensation: You will not receive any financial payment for your participation. The decision to participate in the study is entirely voluntary.

Contact persons: If you have any questions at any time about this research or want to discuss any possible study-related incidents, please contact one or both of the principal investigators at abu-ras@adelphi.edu or Zulema.suarez@capella.edu.

Voluntary Participation: Participation in this study is voluntary. If you decide not to participate, this will not affect you in any way. Any new information that develops during this study, which might affect your decision to participate, will be given to you immediately.

Institutional Review Board approval: This research has been reviewed and approved by the Adelphi University Institutional Review Board. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please contact the IRB chair, Dr. David Prottas, 516-877-3815; prottas@adelphi.edu

Thank you in advance.
 
 7% of survey complete.

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