Are You a Woman Diagnosed with Celiac Disease? You May Be Eligible …

Are you a woman diagnosed with Celiac Disease? Are you at least 18 years of age? If you answered “yes” to both questions, you may be eligible to participate in a study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland.

“My name is Lizz and I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2009. My mom, dad, sister and cousin have also been diagnosed with the disease. I started my PhD in counseling psychology at the University of Maryland and am currently working on my master’s thesis research project. I am interested in adjustment to and coping with chronic illness, and am passionate about helping the psychological and medical community better understand the experience of women with Celiac Disease. In pursuit of this goal, I am working on a study (approved by the IRB of the University of Maryland) that surveys women’s experiences with the interpersonal stress associated with the disease. Please read the advertisement below and consider contributing! My email is ejreeves@umd.edu if you have any questions, or would like to participate (see instructions below). Thank you!” 

“The study explores the experiences of women like you through a brief online survey. We want to learn directly from women with Celiac Disease about the experience of living with its unique challenges and restrictions. This your chance to contribute to research aimed at improving the experience of women with Celiac Disease.” 

“The survey can be done online from anywhere that is convenient for you. It will take approximately 20-30 minutes of your time. Once you are finished, you will have the opportunity to enter into a raffle for a $20 gift certificate to be emailed to you. This research is being conducted by Elizabeth Reeves, B. S. and Mary Ann Hoffman, Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, College Park.” 

“If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Elizabeth Reeves at ejreeves@umd.edu with the subject line “Celiac Disease Study.”

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Purpose of the Study

This research is being conducted by Elizabeth Reeves and Mary Ann Hoffman at the University of Maryland, College Park.  We are inviting you to participate in this research project because you are female, at least 18 years of age, are diagnosed with Celiac Disease and attempt to follow a strict gluten free diet. The purpose of this research project is to better understand the experience of women with Celiac. In particular, we are interested in understanding how women experience and cope with interpersonal stressors associated with the symptoms and/or strict gluten free diet.

Procedures
This is an online study that involves completing a survey about you, your experiences with Celiac Disease, and how it affects your interpersonal experiences and your life. In total, this study is anticipated to require 20-30 minutes of your time.

Potential Risks and Discomforts
There may be some risks from participating in this research study. You may have both positive and negative feelings about your health and how Celiac Disease affects your life, and this may induce feelings of discomfort or sadness. You may skip any question that you do not wish to answer, and/or stop the survey at anytime. If for any reason you feel you need to contact the researchers, you can do so at ejreeves@umd.edu. There is also the risk of inadvertent disclosure if you do not complete the intervention in a private location and someone sees your responses.

Potential Benefits 
There are no direct benefits to participation. However, possible benefits include feeling a better sense of understanding or improved well-being after reflecting on your experiences.  We hope that, in the future, other people might benefit from this study through improved understanding of what can be helpful for women with Celiac Disease

Confidentiality
The research team will minimize any potential loss of confidentiality by storing data in a locked office and password protected computer. Moreover, your identifying information will not be linked to your survey or written responses. Only members of the research team will have access to your responses. If we write a report or article about this research project, your identity will be protected to the maximum extent possible.  Your information may be shared with representatives of the University of Maryland, College Park or governmental authorities if you or someone else is in danger or if we are required to do so by law.

We also encourage you to select a private setting when completing study sessions and to close your browser window at the end. If your computer screen faces others while you are completing entries for this study, make sure they cannot oversee your responses.

Medical Treatment
The University of Maryland does not provide any medical, hospitalization or other insurance for participants in this research study, nor will the University of Maryland provide any medical treatment or compensation for any injury sustained as a result of participation in this research study, except as required by law.

Compensation
At the end of the study, you will have the opportunity to be entered into a raffle to win one of multiple $20 Amazon gift cards. This will require you to provide your email address. If you win, your gift card will be sent to that address. You will be responsible for any taxes assessed on the compensation.

Right to Withdraw and Questions
Your participation in this research is completely voluntary.  You may choose not to take part at all.  If you decide to participate in this research, you may stop participating at any time.

If you decide to stop taking part in the study, if you have questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact the primary investigator, Elizabeth Reeves, at 3214 Benjamin Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, ejreeves@umd.edu

Participant Rights 
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or wish to report a research-related injury, please contact:

University of Maryland College Park
Institutional Review Board Office
1204 Marie Mount
College Park, Maryland, 20742
E-mail: irb@umd.edu
Telephone: 301-405-0678
This research has been reviewed according to the University of Maryland, College Park IRB procedures for research involving human subjects.

Statement of Consent
If you agree to participate, please proceed to https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_enEHIAOjhRiazVr . By clicking on the “next” button, this indicates that you are a woman of at least 18 years of age; you are able to read and write in English; you have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease by a healthcare provider; you have read this consent form or have had it read to you; your questions have been answered to your satisfaction and you voluntarily agree to participate in this research study.