Experience of the Slow Down COVID-19 Stress Website

Information sheet for participants (page 1/5)

Ethical clearance reference number: LRS-20/21-18425. Version 1.0. 27/10/20.

We would like to invite you to complete a survey to find out about your experience of the Slow Down COVID-19 Stress website. Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done, and what participation will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully, and discuss it with others if you wish. You can contact the research team if anything is not clear or if you would like more information.

What is the purpose of the survey?
We want to find out about people's experience of the Slow Down COVID-19 Stress website. It aims to give easy access to some of the main messages about managing COVID-19 stress. We want to find out whether the information on the website is useful, easy-to-use and appealing. Your feedback will help us to improve it. We would also like to hear which slowing down ideas and tips you find most helpful.

Why have I been invited to take part?
We are inviting anyone who has viewed the Slow Down COVID-19 website, and is aged 16 or over, to participate.

What will happen to me if I take part?
You will be asked some basic information about yourself and will then complete a short, anonymous survey about your experience of the Slow Down COVID-19 Stress website. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

Do I have to take part?
Participation is voluntary. You should read this information sheet and if you have any questions please contact the research team. If you decide to take part you will be asked to provide your consent on the next page. To do this you will be asked to indicate that you have read and understand the information provided and that you consent to your anonymous data being used for the purposes explained.

After consent, you are free to change your mind at any time, without giving any reason. If you decide you do not want to complete the questionnaire, you should delete all your responses. Once you submit the survey, it will no longer be possible to withdraw from the study because the data will be fully anonymous. Please do not include any personally identifiable data in your responses.

What are the possible risks of taking part?
It is not expected that participation has any risks. We have previously completed similar projects asking people about their experience of SlowMo therapy, with no adverse effects. All of the questions focus on your experience of the website and what you find helpful for managing COVID-19 stress. The survey does not ask you to share any distressing or sensitive information. All responses will be made completely anonymous and stored confidentially. However, it is possible that you become more aware of stress about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on you. Advice for accessing further support are provided on the website and at the end of the survey.

Data handling and confidentiality
This research is anonymous. This means that nobody, including the researchers, will be aware of your identity, and that nobody will be able to connect you to the answer you provide, even indirectly. Your answers will nevertheless be treated confidentially and the information you provide will not allow you to be identified in any research outputs or publications. Your anonymised data will be stored on SurveyMonkey and by Google analytics. Following data collection, the data will be stored on our encrypted, secure King's College London shared drive for 7 years following completion of the study.

What will happen to the results of the study?
If requested, we can send a summary of results. The results will also be shared in talks at conferences and through peer-reviewed publications.

Who should I contact for further information?
If you have any questions or require more information, please contact:
Amy Hardy, Department of Psychology, Henry Wellcome Building, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF. Email: amy.hardy@kcl.ac.uk

What if something goes wrong?
If this study has harmed you in any way or if you wish to make a complaint about the conduct of the study you can contact King's College London using the details below for further advice and information:
The Chair, PNM RESC
rec@kcl.ac.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this information and considering participating in the research.