Informed Consent

Principal Investigator: Brenda Nash, Ph.D. 

Student Investigator: Mindy Yates, M.A. 

Title of Study: Effects of Successful Disclosure on Minor Attracted Persons’ Mental Well-Being

You have been invited to take part in the current study called “Effects of Successful Disclosure on Minor Attracted Persons’ Mental Well-Being.” This consent form will explain the details of participating in this research project. Please read this form carefully. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the study. Thank you for your interest in participating.

What are we trying to find out in this study? 

There are several goals of this study, including exploring the effects of successful disclosure on minor attracted persons’ mental health, the characteristics of the confidants whom minor attracted persons most successfully disclosed to, and what, if anything, could have made minor attracted persons’ most successful disclosure even better. 

Who can participate in this study? 

You must be at least 18 years old, have an attraction to minors, have had at least one successful disclosure to another adult about your attraction to minors, and have not committed any sexual crimes against minors to complete this study. 

Where will this study take place? 

This study is an online survey. 

What is the time commitment for participating in this study? 

The survey should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

What will you be asked to do if you choose to participate in this study? 

If you choose to participate in this study, you will complete an online survey. The survey will include questions that relate to your mental health before and after you made your most successful disclosure. The survey will also include questions about the disclosure, including what made it successful and several brief questionnaires that assess areas of your mental health before and after you made your most successful disclosure. You will then be asked to think about the person you made your most successful disclosure to and identify their characteristics to the best of your ability. You will also be asked to identify what, if anything, could have made the disclosure even more successful. Lastly, you will complete a few demographic questions about yourself.

What are the risks of participating in this study and how will these risks be minimized? 

There are minimal risks to you in this study, such that some questions might lead you to experience strong emotions. If at any point you want to discontinue the study, you may do so at any time, with no penalty. For immediate support, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. The option to download a printable PDF copy of this informed consent form will be provided at the conclusion of the study. 

What are the benefits of participating in this study? 

There is no direct benefit to you in participating. However, there is a need for more research on minor attracted persons who have not committed sexual crimes against minors, their mental well-being, and characteristics that make disclosure successful. Participating in this research study will help add to the literature in these areas.

Are there any costs associated with participating in this study? 

There are no costs associated with participating in this study. 

Is there any compensation for participating in this study? 

There is no compensation for participating in this study.

How will my data be protected? 

All information you provide is completely voluntary and completely anonymous. No identifying information will be asked and your IP address will not be tracked. Only the investigators will have access to your responses and informed consents. These data will only be used to address the goals of this current study. Only summary data will be discussed in any paper associated with this study. Electronic information obtained from this study will be secured in a password protected database for three years after study completion. 

What if you want to stop participating in this study? 

Your participation in this research study is completely voluntary. Please contact Mindy Yates, M.A. (myates04@spalding.edu) or Dr. Brenda Nash (bnash@spalding.edu) if you have any questions regarding this study. If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant, you can contact Spalding University's Chair of the Research Ethics Committee, Lisa Potts, at rec@spalding.edu. 

You can stop the survey at any time with no consequences if you do not wish to participate in this study. 

Completing the survey indicates your consent to have your answers used.

If you have already completed this survey, please do not take it again. Thank you for participating in the study. 

Please indicate you meet the following criteria to participate in this study: