7%

Could the ability to look inwards help parents 
to control their emotions?

Questions marked with a * are required
Participant Information Sheet
 
Name of Researcher: Claire Laurenson
Contact details of Researcher: cl2688@bath.ac.uk
 
Name of Supervisor / Co-investigator: Dr Iris Lavi
Contact details of Supervisor / Co-investigator: il343@bath.ac.uk

1. What is the purpose of this project?

In this study, we are hoping to find out if there is a link between interoception (the ability to notice and identify what's going on inside us, whether this means noticing we are hungry, in pain, or recognising how we feel emotionally) and emotion regulation (the ability to manage and control your emotions), in parents. 

2. Who can take part in this project?

To participate in this study, you must be:
 
  • A parent, aged 18+ (of any gender and any marital status)
  • Currently parenting a child under 16 (though you don't need to be parenting full-time)
  • Able to read and understand English
  • Able to access the internet
     
3. Do I have to take part?

Whether or not you take part in this study is entirely up to you. We recommend that before you decide, you read through the information on this page carefully. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the researcher.
If you agree to take part, you will be asked to confirm that you consent to taking part, via an online form on the page directly after this one.

4. What does taking part involve?

Simply follow the instructions on screen. First you will be asked to fill in some brief demographic information - just so we can compare your answers to those of other participants and look for similarities and differences. You will then be asked to complete three separate questionnaires: one which assesses your interoception, one on emotion regulation, and one about how you regulate your emotions specifically during parenting-related situations. 

The first questionnaire is the longest, while the other two are shorter. The whole thing should only take about 15 minutes at the most.

5. Are there reasons why I might not be eligible to take part?

This is not the right study for you to take part in, if you:
 
  • Are under 18 years old 
    Our study is looking for parents who are aged 18 and over.
  • Don't understand written English
    The questionnaires are only provided in English, and it was not possible for us to translate them without potentially affecting their validity.
  • Do not have children in your care
    Please note that this is our main requirement - for you to be currently parenting children aged 0-16, whether this is full-time or part-time. This means if you have children who are grown and living independently, this is not the right study for you. 
    Foster parents and parents of adopted children are welcome to take part - your child / children do not have to be biologically related to you for you to be eligible, as long as you spend some time caring for them. 
  • Do not have access to the internet
    The study takes place entirely online, so it is necessary for you to have access to the internet so you can fill out the questionnaires.

6. Are there any benefits to taking part?

It is unlikely that taking part in this project will directly benefit you. However, it is possible that the information we learn from this study could benefit future parents and children (more information will be provided in the Participant Debrief sheet at the end of the study, if you take part).

It is also possible you may find it interesting to complete the questionnaires provided, because they will encourage you to think about things you might not have considered before - like your own interoceptive abilities. If you are interested in learning more, there will be more information in the Participant Debrief sheet at the end of the study.

7. Are there any possible risks or disadvantages of taking part?

The researcher has carefully considered any possible disadvantages of taking part in this study. It is important to point out that the questionnaires do ask questions about your ability to control unpleasant emotions, and also about the way you control your emotions when you are in difficult parenting situations. For some people, this could bring to mind memories or situations which they find frustrating, upsetting, or stressful. Please remember you are free to quit the study at any time while you are still answering the questions, or, you could take a break from the screen and come back later.

We want to make it clear that we understand parenting can be incredibly difficult, nobody is perfect, and everyone finds emotion regulation hard sometimes - ultimately that is why we think this research could be useful. Our Participant Debrief sheet at the end of the study offers some links to organisations and online resources which might be relevant to you if you are interested in getting support with your emotions or with being a parent. 

8. Who will have access to the information that I provide?

The information you give us is called "data". All of this data will be gathered and stored safely in a password-protected folder on the University's secure server, and it will later be analysed and then written up by the doctoral student who is running the project. Only the research team (and University governance staff where appropriate) will have access to your data. 

9. What will happen to the data collected and results of the project?

The fact that you took part will remain confidential, and we do not ask for any information which could identify you. All data from the study will be stored in a password-protected folder on the University's secure server. Storage of data will be done in accordance with current UK data protection legislation. Recorded data will be stored securely and confidentially in the University archives for a maximum of 10 years.

The write-up of the project will be marked by staff at the University of Bath, but it is possible it will also be submitted to research journals for publication. Your name (or any other identifying information) will not be disclosed in any presentation or publication of the research. 

After the project has finished, we can provide you with a summary of the project results if you would like. The summary will not include any identifiable information and will only show the overall findings of the project. 

10. Who has reviewed the project?

This project has been given a favourable ethics opinion by the University of Bath Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee [reference no: 3822-5116].

11. How can I withdraw from the project?

If you decide part-way through the study that you no longer wish to take part, you are free to withdraw your participation (by closing the tab / browser) without giving a reason. However, once you have clicked "submit" at the end of the study, you will no longer be able to withdraw your data, for it would not be possible for us to locate your responses in amongst those of other participants and remove them from our study.

12. University of Bath privacy notice

The University of Bath privacy notice can be found here: https://www.bath.ac.uk/legal-information/university-of-bath-privacy-notice/.

13. What happens if there's a problem?

If you have a concern about any aspect of the project, you should contact the researchers (see contact information below) who will do their best to answer any questions. If they are unable to resolve your concern or if you wish to make a complaint regarding the project, please contact the Research Governance and Compliance Team at research-ethics@bath.ac.uk.

14. Who should I contact for more information?

Please do not hesitate to contact the researchers (Claire Laurenson and Dr Iris Lavi) using the contact details below if you would like more information.
 
Name of Researcher: Claire Laurenson
Contact details of Researcher: cl2688@bath.ac.uk
 
Name of Supervisor / Co-investigator: Dr Iris Lavi
Contact details of Supervisor / Co-investigator: il343@bath.ac.uk
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