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Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions in Forensic Science Professionals: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

3.Consent

1.RESEARCH SUBJECT CONSENT FORM


Study Title

Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions in Forensic Science Professionals: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder


Principal Investigator

Dylann A. Stapel, MS, D-ABMDI, NREMT

Oklahoma State University

Forensic Sciences

dstapel@okstate.edu


Invitation to Participate

You are being invited to take part in a research study regarding the mental health of forensic science professionals. You are eligible if you are 18 years or older and currently practicing in a forensic science role. Your participation is voluntary. Before you decide whether to participate, it is important that you understand why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Please read this information carefully.


Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research is to estimate the prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among forensic science professionals.


Procedures

If you agree to participate you will complete an anonymous online survey that includes questions about your profession and mental health. The survey will take approximately 20-25 Minutes to complete. You may skip any question you do not wish to answer. You may stop the survey at any time by closing the browser or exiting the survey.


Risks and Discomforts

This study is considered minimal risk. Some questions may contain possible triggers and/or emotional discomfort. Some questions asked are in regards to sensitive trauma and mental health information. If you experience any distress due to this, please exit the survey and contact a local mental health provider, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741471.


Benefits

You may not receive any direct benefit from participating. However, your responses may help researchers better understand the mental health of forensic professionals and contribute to improved occupational mental health resources.


Confidentiality

Your responses are anonymous and will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. No identifying information (names, email addresses, IP addresses, etc.) will be collected. Survey responses will be stored securely on a password-protected computer in the possession of the investigator at all times. Once the study is complete, the results will be deleted from all storage. Although every effort will be made to protect your confidentiality, complete anonymity cannot be absolutely guaranteed in internet-based research.


Voluntary Participation

Participation is entirely voluntary. You may decline to participate or withdraw at any time without penalty or loss of benefits.


Compensation and Cost

You will not receive compensation for participating. There are no costs to you other than the time required to complete the survey.


Questions

If you have questions about this study, contact:

Principal Investigator

Dylann A. Stapel, MS, D-ABMDI, NREMT

dstapel@okstate.edu

This research is being overseen by an Institutional Review Board (“IRB”). An IRB is a group of people who perform independent review of research studies. You may talk to them at (918) 561-1400 or chsirb@okstate.edu if you have questions, concerns, or complaints, are not receiving adequate answers from the research team, want to talk to someone else about the research, or have questions about your rights as a research subject.


Statement of Consent

By selecting “I Agree to Participate” below you acknowledge that your participation is voluntary and you have read and understand this information, and that you are 18 years of age or older