Thank for your interest in our study on “Conflict in Relationships”.

Please read the participation information below.

Description of the study:
This study will examine conflict in relationships from both people’s perspectives. It will also be examining ways we process our emotions and deal with things we do wrong or have done wrong to us. This project is supported by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work at Flinders University.

Purpose of the study:
This project aims to assess how people process wrongdoing in real life relationships.

What will I be asked to do?
To be included in this study both you and a close relationship partner need to be willing to participate in this research. Then, on the occasion that you or your relationship partner feels in some way wronged by the other, the wronged person will be asked to log onto a website and fill in a survey about the event. The person will be asked to provide some details to prompt the partner about the event, who is then asked to complete a survey about this. You will each fill in a survey every 2 days, totalling 4 surveys. The surveys will ask about your thoughts and feelings towards yourself, your partner and the incident. The survey will relate to the specific current event and not past behaviours. Ideally an event is chosen that does not have a “history” but is rather a current discrete event. Each survey will take approximately 20 minutes, totalling 80 minutes for all 4 surveys. Each partner will be reimbursed with $40 for their time commitment. The money is to be collected in person from Flinders University (details will be provided upon completion). 

What benefit will I gain from being involved in this study?
You will not benefit directly from the study but will be part of the development of our understanding of relationship conflict.

Will I be identifiable by being involved in this study?
All data will be treated confidentially, and no personal information will be stored with the survey responses. Individuals will not be identifiable in the process of analysis, and certainly not identified in any publication of results. No one except the researcher will be able to view individual responses; therefore your partner will not be able to view your responses. In order for the researcher to link the data from both parties, you will be required to choose a code; no-one except you and your partner will know the code.

Are there any risks or discomforts if I am involved?
Thinking about conflict can be difficult, with or without involvement in this research. In order not to add to this, however, we ask you not to discuss the research or survey responses with your partner, and to interact with your partner just as you would normally do. Also, you or your partner should choose a wrongdoing event that is current and discrete (i.e., that doesn’t have a “history” of conflict), and one you feel relatively comfortable with being relayed back to your partner for them to complete their half of the surveys. Violent or criminal behaviour is not appropriate as topics for this research; in such cases you should seek help elsewhere.
 
Free and confidential counselling are available if you do experience any difficulties as a result of this research:
Flinders Health and Counselling Service: 8201 2118
Lifeline (phone counselling): 13 11 14
Relationships Australia (online counselling and further information): http://www.relationships.org.au/what-we-do/services.

If you have any concerns regarding anticipated or actual risks or discomforts, please raise them with the investigator.

How do I agree to participate?
Participation is voluntary. You are free to refuse to answer any questions and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without effect or consequences. Both you and your partner need to read the information about the study and agree to participate. Each of you will need an individual email address to enter into this consent form. You both will then receive an email asking you to confirm your consent. Once both you and your partner have confirmed your consent to participate, you will be sent an email with further instructions and a web link to log onto your first survey when someone does something wrong.

How will I receive feedback?
Outcomes from the project will be summarised and given to you by the investigator if you request.

Ethics Committee Approval
The project has been approved by Flinders University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (#7991). Queries and Concerns Queries or concerns regarding the research can be directed to the research team. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this study, you may contact the Flinders University’s Research Ethics and Compliance Office team either via telephone (08) 8201 2543 or via email human.researchethics@flinders.edu.au.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this information sheet and we hope that you will accept our invitation to be involved. If you would like to proceed with the study, please click the forward button (→) below.