Directors:                              

Cierra Campos, Master of Social Work Student 1900 Commerce St., Tacoma, WA 98402 Email: czcole14@uw.edu. (253)324-1118

Kortnie Williams, Master of Social Work Student 1900 Commerce St., Tacoma, WA 98402 Email: kortniew@uw.edu. (718)678-0383

Faculty Advisor: Charles Emlet Email: Caemlet@uw.edu

Researchers' Statement

The purpose of this consent form is to give you the information you will need to help you decide if you are interested in participating in this study. Please read the form carefully. You may ask questions about the purpose of the research, what we would ask you to do, the possible risks and benefits, your rights as a volunteer, and anything else about the research or this form that is not clear. When all your questions have been answered, you can decide if you would like to participate in the study. This process is called "informed consent." We will give you a copy of this form for your records.

Purpose and Benefits

This research study is targeted toward African Americans parents who have experienced trauma. The study is designed to help us learn more about how trauma affects African American parenting styles. This is a research project that will help us learn more about how responses to trauma can impact the parenting styles African Americans use with children so that agencies and general society can be better informed of what trauma looks like for African Americans and better practice. While there is no direct benefit from this study, each participant will receive a resource sheet of parenting resources that support African Americans with a trauma-informed lens, and other community supports. Even though there may not be specific benefits for you personally, this study may provide information that can be used to help others in the future.

Procedures

You will receive a questionnaire that will categorize your parenting style. If eligible, participants will be asked to complete part two of the study, which will consist of an interview about the participants’ experiences regarding trauma and parenting. The interview will take somewhere between 45-60 minutes and can be rescheduled at your convenience. If you become tired or are not feeling well, a second session can be scheduled to complete the interview. During the interview, we will ask you questions about yourself, parenting style(s), discipline and how you feel trauma has had an impact on. Some questions may be more personal and sensitive, such as how trauma has affected you personally. You will be asked some questions about how your traumatic experiences have affected your parenting style.

While some of your answers to the research questions are kept on a form (questionnaire), we are requesting to audiotape part of the interview. The tape is used so that we can be sure we have accurately documented what you told us in order to better analyze the data gathered. In order to safeguard your privacy, the screenings and audio recordings: 1) are kept in a secure location and all identifying information is kept separately; 2) only those people who are part of the research team will be able to listen to the tape and 3) all people who are interviewed will be given a pseudonym (false name) in order to conceal their identity. The tapes will be kept by the research team after the research project is finished and will be destroyed no later than June 2019.

Risks, Stress, or Discomfort

It's important that you know that we will very carefully protect your privacy. All of the information you share with us will be kept confidential. We have taken several important steps to make certain that we protect your privacy and the information you give us remains confidential (1) your questionnaires/tapes will be filed separately from your name; (3) all questionnaires/tapes will be stored in locked filing cabinets; and (3) all information about you that is entered in computers, if any, will be protected by passwords known only to our staff.

It might be stressful to answer questions about your traumatic experiences. However, we will do our best to ask questions in a sensitive manner. Some questions prompt you remember traumatic experience that could make you feel sad, nervous or anxious. Should you experience any of those feelings, you are welcome to take a break, skip questions, and practice self-care.  

Other Information

Participation is voluntary and subjects may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled. Services provided through mental health service providers will not be affected in any way by your refusal to participate in or discontinuance of participation in this study.

Compensation for Your Time

You will be entered into a raffle for a $20 gift card for participating in our initial questionnaire. Participants who are selected for a secondary interview, will be entered into another raffle for a $30 gift card. You will receive gift card if your name is selected after all interviews have been completed.

Participant's Statement

This study has been explained to me and I volunteer to take part in this research. I have had a chance to ask questions. If I have questions later about the research, I can ask one of the researchers listed above. If I have questions about my rights as a research subject, I can contact directors Cierra Campos or Kortnie Williams at czcole14@uw.edu or kortniew@uw.edu respectively. I understand that by signing this form, if eligible, I may be asked to complete a secondary in-depth interview on my experience with parenting and trauma. I also understand that by signing this document I agree to be audiotaped upon agreement to secondary interview. I will receive a copy of this consent form.