Welcome to the Stigma Research Project Background Page.

What is the purpose of the research study?

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between measures of mental health stigma, self-efficacy in seeking mental healthcare, and locus of control for mental health, in a sample of undergraduate students.

Why have I been asked to participate?

You have been asked to participate because you are among the specific target populations identified within the scope of this research program. You are over the age of 18 and are willing to complete the surveys in this study. You may or may not have been diagnosed with a mental illness previously.

Do I have to take part in this study?

Your participation in any part of this research is voluntary. You may refuse to participate in this research without penalty. You may withdraw from this research at any time without penalty. If you choose to withdraw from this research, any data you have already provided may be retained and used for the purposes of this research.

The proposed research is intended to establish the value of selected tests as contributors to our understanding of Stigma and specific health seeking behaviours.

Participats will complete four specific surveys related to stigma, health, locus of control and self-efficacy for seeking help using a customized online data collection tool.

It is expected that results of these investigations will provide essential information about the issues related to mental health stigma.

This information sheet is yours to keep and is also available on the website. You can save or print a copy of the consent form from the website for your records.

We explicitly seek your consent for the use of direct quotations which will be anonymised. If you take part and change your mind, you have the option of withdrawing from the process at any point without giving any reasons.

Submitting responses is considered your virtual agreement to the terms of the research process which are specifically noted as:

• all information collected throughout this research process will remain confidential and securely stored using a firewall-protected secure server accessible via password for security and safety at the University of Prince Edward Island for a period of five years.
  
• You are NOT obligated to complete any forms, and you may withdraw from the research process at anytime without fear of reprisal.

What will I have to do if I agree to take part?

If you choose to participate we will ask you to sign-in and then complete a series of web based forms which may take approximately 30 minutes depending on your responses.

Are there any possible disadvantages from participating?

There are no reasonable foreseeable discomforts or risks involved in participating as you could respond to the web based surveys at any time and place. The website will be monitored and backed up by the technical support team at the University of Prince Edward Island. If there is any unexpected discomfort, disadvantage or risk to you during the course of this process, please, bring it to the attention of Dr. William Montelpare, to help you find support.

What if something goes wrong?

There are no known risks or harm with this research process. If you are harmed by taking part in this research process, there are no special compensation arrangements. If you have any problems with the ethical conduct of this study please send an e-mail to reb@upei.ca or call (902) 620-5104.

What are the possible benefits from taking part?

There are no immediate benefits for those participating in the research process, but the data will contribute to the knowledge base and inform the research process support team about events that occur during the process. You may gain some personal benefits or support from being a part of this research process and contributing specific feedback about the process and the outcomes. In addition, the data will be used as part of the academic studies experience for students that are part of the technical data collection team.

Will my participation be kept confidential?

Yes, all information collected will be kept strictly confidential. You will be assigned a personal identification number (ID) or pseudonyms to identify your responses. Personal identifiers will be removed from responses during the analysis of the data and replaced with pseudonyms. During the study Dr. William Montelpare and members of the research team will have access to data that you submit. Your ID and details that you submit will be stored in a password-protected computer. Your test responses will not be held together with your personal details. Data will be stored on the University of Prince Edward Island firewall protected secure server that is only accessible via password for security and safety. After finishing this study the data will be stored in password protected computer of the baseline screening process supervisor (Dr William Montelpare) for 5 years and then destroyed according to the University policy on data protection.

What type of information will be sought and why the collection of this information?

The information we need will be detailed responses to the questions to assist us (the researchers) in establishing the statistical models using these measures. This information will enable the overall aim of the study to be achieved i.e. to determine the relationship between measures of mental health stigma, self-efficacy in seeking mental healthcare, and locus of control for mental health, in a sample of undergraduate students. .

What will happen to the results of the research project?

Access to a summary of the findings will be sent to all participants electronically. Findings will be used to complete the Masters of Applied Health Services Research Degree by the principal researcher (N.M.). Findings will also be submitted for publication in peer reviewed journals and presented at academic and professional conferences.

Who is organizing and funding the research?

The study is being led by Dr. William Montelpare and is supported by a research funding as part of his Research Chair as the Magaret and Wallace McCain Chair in Human Development and Health.

Who can I contact for further information?

We realize that some of the questions could possibly trigger an emotional reaction. As researchers, we do not provide mental health services and we will not be following up with you after the study. However, we want to provide every participant in this study with a comprehensive and accurate list of clinical resources that are available, should you decide you need assistance at any time. Please see information pertaining to local resources at the end of this form.

We ask that you do not disclose research procedures and/or hypotheses to anyone who might participate in this study in the future as this could affect the results of the study.

Final Report

If you would like to receive a copy of the final report of this study (or a summary of the findings) when it is completed, please feel free to contact us.

Useful Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study, its purpose or procedures, or if you have a research-related problem, please feel free to contact Dr. William Montelpare at 902-620-5186 or wmontelpare@upei.ca. If you want any information regarding your rights as a research participant, or have concerns about this research project, you may contact: the Researech Ethics Board at UPEI, UPEI Research Services at 902-620-5104 or by email at reb@upei.ca

If you feel upset after having completed the study or find that some questions or aspects of the study triggered distress, talking with a qualified clinician may help. If you feel you would like assistance please contact Dr. William Montelpare at 902-620-5186 or wmontelpare@upei.ca to help you find support. You can also access support from Student Affairs at UPEI at 902-566-0488, or by email at studentserv@upei.ca.

Walk–in clinics across PEI

Mental health walk-in clinics can also offer immediate mental health support to help with anxiety, as well as life events causing stress and other mental health issues. No appointment or referral is required. You will be able to see a registered mental health therapist for 45-60 minutes. There is no cost for this service. Mental health walk-in clinics are offered in Queens and Prince Counties at the following locations:

For questions about this research please contact:

Professor William J. Montelpare, Ph.D.,
Margaret and Wallace McCain Chair in Human Development and Health,
Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science,
Health Sciences Building, University of Prince Edward Island,
550 Charlottetown, PE, Canada, C1A 4P3
(o) (902) 620-5186

You may copy this information sheet for future reference.

AUTHORIZATION

I have read the information provided for the research conducted at UPEI as described in this consent form. My questions have been answered to my satisfaction and I agree to participate in this study. I voluntarily choose to participate in this study, but understand that my consent does not take away my legal rights in the case of negligence or other legal fault of anyone who is involved in this study.

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