ABN 15 211 513 464
Dr Mairwen Jones
Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Clinic Head, The University of Sydney Anxiety Disorders Clinic
Faculty of Health Sciences
Cumberland Campus C42
East Street (PO Box 170)
Lidcombe NSW 2141
University of Sydney
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 2 9351 9571
Fac s imi le:
+61 2 9351 9540
Email: mairwen.jones@sydney.edu.au
Web: http://sydney.edu.au/health_sciences
Help seeking behaviours in practicing Muslims living with OCD.
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION STATEMENT
(1)
What is the study about?
You are invited to participate in a study evaluating why practicing Muslims with OCD take longer
to seek professional help for their OCD. This study aims to investigate the possible reasons for
this delay in practicing Muslim women with excessive washing.
(2)
Who is carrying out the study?
The study is being conducted by Somayeh Mahintorabi, PhD student in the Faculty of Health
Sciences and will form the basis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of
Sydney under the supervision of Dr. Mairwen Jones, Senior lecturer in Psychology and Lynne
Harris, Professor of Psychological Sciences.
(3)
What does the study involve?
This study involves recruiting female practicing Muslim with OCD. Volunteers will firstly be
asked to undertake a clinician assessment interview conducted by Somayeh Mahintorabi at The
University of Sydney Anxiety Disorders Clinic to determine that you do have OCD. Then you will
be asked to complete one short OCD written questionnaires and one religious related written
questionnaire and also take part in an interview conducted by Somayeh Mahintorabi in which
you will be asked to respond and give your thoughts about six open ended questions which
provide us with some information about your experience of OCD and help seeking behaviours.
The complete study will be conducted in one session and your interview will be audio recorded
so the interviews can be transcribed for qualitative coding analysis.
(4)
How much time will the study take?
All of these assessments will take approximately one and a half in total.
(5)
Can I withdraw from the study?
Being in this study is completely voluntary - you are not under any obligation to consent and - if
you do consent - you can withdraw at any time without affecting your relationship with the
University of Sydney or with the researchers named on this form.
(6)
Will anyone else know the results?
All aspects of the study, including your demographic data and audio recorded files and results,
will be strictly confidential and only the researchers named on this form will have access to
information collected as part of this study. No identifying information about participants will be
recorded with the questionnaires or electronic data file. Only code numbers will be used to
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identify questionnaire data. Data will be stored in a locked cabinet in the office of Dr. Mairwen
Jones for 7 years after which all questionnaires will be shredded and disposed of using the
University of Sydney’s confidential waste system managed by the University’s security division.
A report of the study may be submitted for publication or conference paper, but individual
participants will not be identifiable in such a report.
(7)
Will the study benefit me?
There will not be any direct benefits from participating in the study.
(8)
Can I tell other people about the study?
Please do not tell other people about this study, as this may affect the results of future data
collection.
(9)
What if I require further information about the study or my involvement in it?
When you have read this information, Somayeh Mahintorabi will discuss it with you further and
answer any questions you may have. If you would like to know more at any stage, please feel
free to contact Dr. Mairwen Jones, Chief Investigator, +61 2 9351 9571 (telephone)or
Mairwen.Jones@sydney.edu.au
(Email)
or
Somayeh
Mahintorabi,
PhD
student
Smah8244@uni.sydney.edu.au (Email).
(10)
What if I have a complaint or any concerns?
Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of a research study can contact The
Manager, Human Ethics Administration, University of Sydney on +61 2 8627 8176 (Telephone);
+61 2 8627 8177 (Facsimile) or ro.humanethics@sydney.edu.au (Email).
This information sheet is for you to keep
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