Informed Consent Form 


Study Title: Kink Competency Scale
Principle Investigator: Vanessa Brown, vbrown@msp.edu
University: Michigan School of Psychology

We are inviting you to participate in a research study. Your participation is completely voluntary. We are asking you to participate because we want to better understand the attitudes and experiences of mental health professionals regarding the kink community. This consent form will give you information about the study to help you decide whether this is of interest to you.  As you review this document, please ask questions as they come to mind. If you have questions later, contact the researcher(s) using the information that is enclosed below.

During the experiment, we will ask you to complete a survey. You may decide to withdraw from participation at any point during the study.

ABOUT THIS RESEARCH

This research study is aimed at exploring knowledge, experiences, and attitudes of mental health clinicians regarding provision of services to members of the kink community.

WHY IS THIS STUDY BEING CONDUCTED?

This study aims to increase awareness of mental health best practices for serving the kink community. 

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Participants must be 18 years or older to participate and be a mental health clinician. We define a mental health clinician as an individual working in a professional setting to provide therapeutic services to people struggling with issues pertaining to mental illness, such as anxiety and depression.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THE STUDY?

Participants will read and sign a consent form. They will then complete a survey that will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Questions will ask about participants understanding of sexual behaviors specific to the kink community, such as your comfort in discussing bondage, and awareness/knowledge of multicultural issues, such as their beliefs about eye contact.

WHAT ARE THE RISK OF PARTICIPATING IN THE RESEARCH STUDY?

There is minimal risk to participating in this study. Participants may feel some discomfort at reading sexually-related content.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF TAKING PART IN THE STUDY?

There is no monetary compensation for participation in this study. However, it is anticipated that participating in this study will expose participants to new ideas that increase their awareness of the kink community.  

HOW WILL MY INFORMATION BE PROTECTED?

All information related to the participant and the survey will be confidential and private. Throughout the research, the participant's anonymity will be maintained. There will be no personal identification-related information collected during the research. The participants will be able to withdraw anytime they want from the study. 

HOW WILL DATA BE SECURED AND STORED?

Data will be stored on a password protected server that can only be accessed by the members involved in this study.

WHO SHOULD I CALL WITH QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?

For questions about this research, complaints, or problems, contact Dr. Vanessa Brown at  vbrown@msp.edu

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Michigan School of Psychology. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant please contact irb@msp.edu or 248-476-1122.

Question Title

* Statement of consent:

 
 17% of survey complete.

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