An Exploration of Relationship Doubts and Sexual Well-being in Couples
Researcher: Brenna Bagnell, Doctor of Psychology Student, Faculty of Psychology/Arts, omearalab@upei.ca
Supervisor: Dr. Martha Giraldo O’Meara, Faculty of Psychology/Arts, mgomeara@upei.ca
Thank you for your interest. We invite you to take part in our study called An Exploration of Relationship Doubts and Sexual Well-Being in Couples. The study is led by Doctor of Clinical Psychology Student Ms. Brenna Bagnell, under the supervision of Dr. Martha Giraldo O’Meara. Research is conducted at the University of Prince Edward Island as part of the researcher’s doctoral dissertation.
The information below tells you about what you are being asked to do. Please ask as many questions as you like about anything mentioned here, or information not included here.
Purpose: Some individuals experience persistent and distressing doubts about their partner and/or relationship. To minimize these doubts individuals may seek frequent reassurance that their relationship is “right” or avoid aspects of a partner that are upsetting. These doubts and behaviours are symptoms of relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD), which is a mental health condition involving obsessions and compulsions regarding romantic relationships. ROCD has been associated with sexual challenges in the past; however, at present, no one has researched ROCD in couples. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of relationships and/or partner doubts and ROCD symptoms on couples’ sexual well-being. Results from this study may be used to inform treatment for couples navigating these challenges.
What will you be asked to do? You will be asked to complete an online screening survey. If you are eligible to participate, you and your partner will be contacted via email to gain their assent. If you choose to participate, you will be sent individual study surveys. The online study survey includes questionnaires and open-ended questions about your relationship and/or partner doubts, ROCD symptoms, and your sexual well-being. The study survey will take approximately 45 minutes. You will have 4 weeks to complete it.
What if you decide to stop participating? Participation is voluntary. You can skip any questions while filling out the surveys. You can also decide to stop answering questions. If you want to stop answering, just close the survey window. No data will be collected until you click “Submit” at the end. You will have 7 days to request your information be withdrawn from the study upon survey completion. You can withdraw by contacting us via email. If you or your partner choose to withdraw from the study, the other’s data will also be removed. This is because we are only interested in couples’ experiences.
Confidentiality: Identifying information collected will be confidential through a participant ID number. Your survey responses will not be shared with your partner. All data will be stored in password-protected files on computers which are only accessible to the research team. No identifying information will be included in any publications, posters or presentations. Identifying information will be stored separately from all other participant data. Only those directly involved in this research study will be able to access this information.
Potential Risks and Benefits: There are minimal risks with this study. You will be asked questions about your relationship and/or partner doubts, ROCD symptoms, and your sexual well-being. These questions could make you feel temporarily upset or uncomfortable. If you wish to seek help, free support and resources are available:
Participating may have no direct benefit for you. However, we hope to learn more about ROCD and its associations with couples’ sexual well-being.
Information about this Eligibility Screening Survey
Before enrolling you and your partner in the study, we must ask you a few questions (approximately 5–10 minutes) to make sure the study is a good fit for you and your partner. Only one partner in a couple needs to complete this survey.
Your responses to these questions will be kept strictly confidential, meaning only members of the research team will have access to your answers. All data from this screening questionnaire will be kept on password-protected files on password-protected computers. Information collected will only be used in our research to report recruitment statistics.
We are happy to talk with you about any questions or concerns you may have about your participation in this research study. For general inquiries about the study, please contact us at omearalab@upei.ca.
By continuing with this survey I am agreeing that:
• I have read and reviewed the details of the consent form outlined previously
• I have no remaining questions
• I am providing my informed consent to participate in this screening survey
