STUDY INFORMATION SHEET
Title of the Project: The Prevalence of Moral Injury Among Veterans Diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Analyses by Combat Exposure, Gender, Age Group, and Military Service.
Principal Investigator: Carl Forkner, Ph.D., Success Consulting AZ.
Key Information about the Research Study
You are invited to participate in a research study. To participate, you must be a Veteran who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, it is not necessary to be receiving VA compensation for PTSD. Participants must be aged 20 or older and have served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Marine Corps, and/or Navy. The definition of a Veteran is someone who has served in the United States military and received a discharge other than a dishonorable discharge.
Things you should know:
- The purpose of the study is to examine differences in the prevalence of moral injury among Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including combat exposure, gender, variation by military service, and differences among age groups. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete an online, anonymous survey, which will consist of a demographic questionnaire, the PCL-5 survey, and the MIOS survey. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes for each survey.
- Participants should not expect to receive any direct benefits.
- Taking part in this research project is voluntary. You do not have to participate, and you can stop at any time.
Please read this entire form and ask questions before deciding whether to participate in this research.
What is the study about and why is it being done?
The purpose of the study is to determine whether there exists a difference in the prevalence of moral injury among Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including combat exposure, gender, variation by military service, and differences among age groups. This may influence mental health practitioners in better serving Veterans with moral injury because protocols for PTSD do not adequately address moral injury.
What will happen if you take part in this study?
If you agree to be in this study, I will ask you to do the following:
- Complete an online, anonymous survey, which will consist of a demographic questionnaire, the PCL-5 survey, and the MIOS survey. It will take 10-15 minutes for each survey.
How could you or others benefit from this study?
Participants should not expect to receive a direct benefit from taking part in this study.
Benefits to society include the possibility of informing mental health providers and institutional leadership on the need to examine and implement collaborative treatment regimens between clinicians and ministry professionals to identify and address the needs of Veterans with moral injury.
What risks might you experience from being in this study?
The expected risks from participating in this study are minimal, which means they are equal to the risks you would encounter in everyday life. The risks involved in this study include the possibility of psychological stress from being asked to recall prior trauma. Resources available to mitigate psychological stress are provided at www.drcarlforkner.com/suicide-prev. Although the risk is minimal, participants who feel triggered by taking the survey may contact their VA medical team, or in extreme cases, present themselves at any emergency room for crisis treatment or call the suicide hotline at 9-8-8 (press 1).
How will personal information be protected?
The records of this study will be kept private. Research records will be stored securely, and only the researcher will have access to the records.
- Participant responses will be anonymous.
- Data will be stored on a password-locked computer. The researcher will have access to the data. After three years, all electronic records will be deleted.
Is study participation voluntary?
Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether to participate will not affect your current or future relations with any mental health providers. If you decide to participate, you are free not to answer any question or withdraw at any time before submitting the survey without affecting those relationships.
What should you do if you decide to withdraw from the study?
If you choose to withdraw from the study, please exit the survey and close your internet browser. Your responses will not be recorded or included in the study.
Whom do you contact if you have questions or concerns about the study?
The researcher conducting this study is Dr. Carl Forkner. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact him at successconsultingaz@gmail.com.
Whom do you contact if you have questions about your rights as a research participant?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and want to talk to someone other than the researcher, you are encouraged to contact the IRB. Our physical address is Institutional Review Board, 1971 University Blvd., Green Hall Ste. 2845, Lynchburg, VA, 24515; our phone number is 434-592-5530, and our email address is irb@liberty.edu.
Disclaimer: The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is tasked with ensuring that human subjects research will be conducted ethically as defined and required by federal regulations. The topics covered and viewpoints expressed or alluded to by researchers are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Liberty University.