Ethical Clearance Reference Number: HR-24/25-46610

YOU WILL BE GIVEN A COPY OF THIS INFORMATION SHEET

Title of study
First psychometric evaluation of the revised YSQ, SMI, and SCI

Invitation Paragraph
We would like to invite you to participate in this research project which forms part of an international study, led by Professor Arnoud Arntz at the University of Amsterdam. In the UK, the study is being led by Dr Karina Allen at King’s College London.

Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what your participation will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.

What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of the study is to evaluate new questionnaires that assess patterns in thoughts, emotions and behaviours. These questionnaires are based on the theory that underlies schema therapy. Schema therapy is a relatively new psychological treatment which links current psychological symptoms to childhood experiences and personality characteristics that developed because of these experiences. New scientific insights means that the existing questionnaires need to be updated. International experts from more than 30 countries have collaborated in this project so that the new instruments will be used in many languages and cultures. In the current phase we aim to test the questions that were developed for these new instruments. By doing this we can retain questions that work well and remove questions that don’t.

Why have I been invited to take part?
We are seeking people who are in treatment for psychological difficulties (of any type) and people not requiring psychological treatment. For research reasons, it is essential that both groups participate.

In order to participate, you need to be:
- Aged 18 or over
- Able to read and understand English
- Able to complete questionnaires online

We hope that a wide range of individuals will choose to participate.

What will happen if I take part?
If you agree to take part you will complete a survey anonymously. The survey will ask you questions about the ways you view yourself, others, and the world. Other questions relate to the way in which you might deal with emotions and beliefs, and how often you experience specific ways of feeling, thinking and behaving. Lastly, a few questions will be focused on demographic information (i.e., gender, age, level of education, ethnicity, and – if applicable – the kind of current psychological problem you are facing). The survey will take you approximately 90 to 130 minutes to complete. Throughout the study, you will have the flexibility to navigate between questions. You have the option to complete the survey in one continuous session or break it into multiple sessions. If you opt for the latter, kindly remember that using the same link permits this, as long as you access the link from the same electronic device and internet browser within a span of 14 days. To facilitate this option, a web cookie is automatically placed on your internet browser that keeps track of the survey progress. The web cookie is configured to expire 14 days from the moment you initiated the survey, to safeguard anonymity. Please avoid using the Safari web browser (the default for iOS and macOS devices), as it may cause issues with completing the survey successfully. Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge both work well. 

Example questions from the survey include:
• I avoid thinking about upsetting ideas.
• I don’t enjoy doing something just for fun and pleasure.
• If I can't reach a goal, I become easily frustrated and give up.
• When something upsets me, I have a hard time shaking off these feelings.
• I feel unable to manage on my own in everyday life.
• Sometimes I’m so worried about people leaving me that I drive them away.

Do I have to take part?
Participation is completely voluntary. You should only take part if you want to and choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in anyway. If you choose to take part you will be asked to provide your consent. 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.

You are free to withdraw at any point during completion of the survey, without having to give a reason. Withdrawing from the study will not affect you in any way. It is important to note that if you stop or withdraw, we will not be able to delete your survey responses since they are anonymous and cannot be linked to you. Your responses will be used even if you do not complete the full survey.

Incentives
In appreciation of your participation, you will receive a summary of your scores on all questionnaires included in this study. You can request this summary at the end of the survey, after completing the questionnaires. If you are currently in treatment, you can give this summary to your practitioner/therapist, if you choose.

In addition, all participants will have the option of entering a prize draw for a 50 Euro voucher. There will be one prize draw for participants who are currently in psychological treatment and one prize draw for participants not in psychological treatment. If you choose to enter the prize draw, you will be asked to provide us with your email address. You will have the option of doing this after you submit your research responses, by clicking on a separate link so that your email address are not be linked to your research responses. This ensures that your answers to the survey questions are truly anonymous. Your email address will be deleted immediately after the prize draw.

What are the possible risks of taking part?
You may find it tiring to complete the questionnaires. If this happens, you can take a break. Using the same link will allow you to stop and start as often as you like for up to 14 days, as long as you access the link from the same electronic device and internet browser. As the questionnaires focus on thoughts, feelings and experiences, there may be some questions which are difficult to answer or distressing. You also have the option of receiving a summary report of your questionnaire scores. This is intended to be of interest but may cause distress, for example, by highlighting ways that you cope with difficult emotions. Downloading the report is optional and the report also includes options for seeking psychological support if you require this. Please be aware that these self-assessment questionnaires are not a substitute for clinical diagnosis or professional advice. It goes without saying that you can discuss your concerns and beliefs with your GP or therapist for appropriate guidance and support. Also note that studies have not been finished to settle when scores are actually high (or low) in different cultures.

If you become distressed at any time while participating in this study, the following options are available for support or advice:
- The Samaritans on 116 123 (24 hours a day) or email jo@samaritans.org
- Contact your General Practitioner, or if you are receiving psychological treatment, the clinician/team who are supporting you
- The UK Chief Investigator of the study, Dr Karina Allen, Adjucnt Reader and Consultant Clinical Psychologist, at karina.allen@kcl.ac.uk
- The UK Co-Investigator of the study, Dr Florian Ruths, Consultant Psychiatrist, at florian.ruths@slam.nhs.uk

What are the possible benefits of taking part?
As above, you can receive a summary of your scores on all questionnaires included in this study. You can request this summary at the end of the survey, after completing the questionnaires. If you are currently in treatment, you can give this summary to your practitioner/therapist, if you choose.

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 answers 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/publications. Your data will be held securely at King’s College London and The University of Amsterdam for at least 7 years.

What will happen to the results of the study?
The results of the study will be summarised in academic papers and presentations. They will also be used to inform the latest versions of schema questionnaires.

Who should I contact for further information?
If you have any questions or require more information about this study, please contact me using the following contact details:

Dr Karina Allen, UK Chief Investigator, at karina.allen@kcl.ac.uk or 07596 892 517

You can also contact other members of the research team:

Dr Florian Ruths, UK Co-Investigator, at florian.ruths@slam.nhs.uk 

Prof. dr. Arnoud Arntz, Chief Investigator at the University of Amsterdam, at A.R.Arntz@uva.nl 

Carmen Mamali, researcher at the University of Amsterdam, at f.c.mamali@uva.nl 

What if I have further questions, or 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, Health Faculties (Blue) Research Ethics Subcommittee, King’s College London, rec@kcl.ac.uk

Thank you for reading this information sheet and for considering taking part in this research.

Information sheet