A. Consent Form

Appendix A

Consent Form

Institute for Clinical Social Work Research Information and Consent for Participation in Social Behavioral Research Identity and belonging among Army Reservists/Guardsmen

I, ____________________________________ acting for myself, agree to take part in the research entitled: Patch-less: Soldier Identity and belonging among Army Reservists/Guardsmen.

This work will be carried out by Laura Stewart, (Principal Researcher) under the supervision of Dr. John Ridings (Dissertation Chair or Sponsoring Faculty).

This work is conducted under the auspices of the Institute for Clinical Social Work; 1345 W .Argyle Street; Chicago, IL 60640; (773) 943-6500.

Purpose

The purpose of this study seeks to develop a deeper understanding of what a combat patch means to an Army Reservist/National Guardsmen and how it impacts their identity and since of belonging as a soldier.

Procedures used in the study and duration

In this phase, participants will complete one-two structured semi in-depth interviews. These semi in-depth interviews will provide a detailed account of how not having a combat patch impacts their sense of identity and belonging as a soldier. These interviews are also expected to provide researchers and licensed clinical therapists information, which may inform and enhance their clinical work and research with this population, as well as provide a better conceptualization of how these issues may affect this population. The time involved should not exceed 60-90 minutes per interview. The interviews will be conducted over VSee/Zoom, a HIPPA compliant video/audio conferencing platform in my home, which will be recorded and transcribed. Data will be confidential and will be destroyed after 5 years. I will keep all information on a password-protected file. At the completion of the interviews, you will be asked if you would be willing to participate in a follow-up phone call if more information is deemed important or necessary. I will make the information collected available to you at the completion of the study, if you are interested. You will also receive one $10 Amazon gift card upon completion of the interviews.

Benefits

There are no known benefits to the participants who participate in this study.

Costs

There are no known costs to the participants, for participation in this study.

Possible Risks and/or Side Effects

Privacy and confidentiality are risks to any study, including this one. However, the risk is very minimal. Some participants may experience some anxiety when sharing their personal experiences when describing their sense of identity and belonging as a soldier. For example, they may feel some anxiety about sharing the emotions they feel due to/not having deployed, feeling as if they don’t fit in or belong to their unit, or a memory that surfaces during the interview process. However, the anxiety associated with this study is no more than would likely be experienced in their everyday lives. Participants will have been informed that they have the option to withdraw from the study at any time as well as be provided with mental health information in their area of residence if a psychiatric emergency were to occur.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The names of the participants will remain anonymous, all data collected from the transcribed interviews, and any notes, will be stored on a password-protected computer, and in a password-protected file. Data that is collected will be destroyed after five years after the results are published.

Subject Assurances

By signing this consent form, I agree to take part in this study. I have not given up any of my rights or released this institution from responsibility for carelessness.

I may cancel my consent and refuse to continue in this study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. My relationship with the staff of the ICSW will not be affected in any way, now or in the future, if I refuse to take part, or if I begin the study and then withdraw.

If you have any questions about the research methods, you can contact Laura Stewart (Principal Researcher) at this phone number: (559) 732-2395 or Dr. John Ridings (Dissertation Chair/Sponsoring Faculty), at this phone number: (773) 263-6225. In addition, you can e-mail Laura Stewart at lstewart@icsw.edu or Dr. John Ridings at jridings@icsw.edu

If you have any questions about your rights as a research subject, you may contact Dr. John Ridings, Chair of Institutional Review Board; ICSW; 1345 W. Argyle Street; Chicago, IL 60640; (773) 943-6500, irbchair@icsw.edu.

Signatures

I have read this consent form, and I hereby agree to take part in the above-described research project. I am 18 years of age or older. I have had all my questions answered. I understand that by signing the consent form, I will be giving my consent to participate in this study.

Signature of research subject (Print, sign, date)______________________________________