Self-Compassion as a Protective Factor in the Relationship Between Anxiety and Self-esteem in Postgraduate Students.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET

You are invited to take part in a research study that explores the relationship between anxiety, self-esteem and self-compassion in postgraduate students in the UK. The study aims to understand whether self-compassion might help students maintain resiliency when experiencing anxiety.

You are being asked to participate because you are currently enrolled in a postgraduate program in the UK and aged 18 or over.

Postgraduate students have been shown to experience higher levels of stress and psychological distress than undergraduates, so your views and experiences are essential for understanding wellbeing in this group. Before deciding whether to take part, please consider the following information.

What would taking part involve?

If you choose to take part, you will be asked to complete a short online survey. This will include: a consent form, a brief set of demographic questions (e.g., age, gender, course of study), three short questionnaires about your anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion and finally a debrief form. The survey will be completed via QuestionPro Online Surveys and should take no longer than a few minutes. You can complete it at a time and place that suits you, on any device with an internet connection. There are no face-to-face components and no follow-up sessions. Once you submit the survey, your participation in the study will be complete. Participation is entirely voluntary. Choosing whether to take part will not affect your course, grades, access to support, or your legal rights in any way. If you decide to withdraw during the survey, you can close the browser window, and your responses will not be submitted.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

There may be no direct personal benefit to you. However, some people find it helpful to reflect on their thoughts and feelings when completing questionnaires. The findings may help improve understanding of postgraduate student wellbeing. Inform future support, interventions or resources that promote resilience and mental health in postgraduate students. Findings may also contribute to broader psychological research on how the interplay among anxiety, self-compassion, and self-esteem influences postgraduate students' adaptation to demanding environments, which is relevant to future studies of resilience in high-pressure or high-performance settings. The study is part of the researcher’s MSc dissertation in Psychology of Mental Health and Well-being. (Ethics Form v7, Dec 24)

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

The topics covered include anxiety, self-esteem and self-compassion. These are everyday emotional experiences, but some questions may feel slightly sensitive or prompt reflection on complicated feelings. You are not required to answer any question that you find uncomfortable; you can stop at any time by closing your browser window before submitting the survey. No significant risks are anticipated beyond everyday emotional experiences. If you do feel distressed at any point, you are encouraged to take a break, stop the survey if you wish, and consider seeking support. At the end of the study, you will be given a Debrief Sheet with contact details for wellbeing and mental health support services.

How will my information be kept confidential?

Your responses will be collected anonymously. The survey will not ask for your name, student ID, or any other direct identifying details. IP addresses will not be used to identify individual participants. Data will be stored securely in line with the University of Wolverhampton policy and the British Psychological Society (BPS, 2021) ethical guidelines. Data will be stored on the University’s OneDrive system for up to 10 years after the study is completed and will only be accessible to the researcher and their academic supervisor. When results are reported, only group-level data (e.g. averages, correlations) will be presented. No individual will be identifiable in any report, presentation or publication. Confidentiality will be maintained within the limits of the law and professional ethical guidance. If you were to disclose information suggesting a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, the researcher may need to discuss this with their supervisor or an appropriate professional. Still, every effort would be made to discuss this with you first, where possible.

What will happen to my data?

Your survey responses will be downloaded and stored in an anonymised dataset. The data will be analysed using quantitative statistical methods (e.g., descriptive statistics, correlations, and regression/moderation analyses) to explore the relationships among anxiety, self-esteem, and self-compassion. Only anonymised, aggregate findings (e.g., overall trends and relationships) will be reported in the dissertation and in any subsequent presentations or publications.

What if I don’t want to continue the study?

Participation is entirely voluntary and, should you decide to withdraw, all your data, which is not yet anonymised, will be deleted. Once anonymised, there is no way to connect the data back to you, so it cannot be withdrawn after this point.

Who has reviewed this study?

This study has been reviewed by the University of Wolverhampton Health Professions Ethics Sub-Panel Committee. (Ethics Form v7, Dec 24)

What will happen to the results of this study?

The results of this study will be written up as part of a dissertation for the MSc Psychology of Mental Health and Well-being at the University of Wolverhampton. Findings may also be presented at academic conferences or submitted for publication in a scholarly journal. In all cases, results will be reported in a way that does not identify any individual participant.

Who do I contact to find out more before deciding whether to take part?

If you have any questions, you can contact the researcher by emailing: A.Watson10@wlv.ac.uk. You can also contact the research supervisor by emailing: V.Blinkhorn@wlv.ac.uk

What if I have any concerns?

If you have any concerns, please contact Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange – Professor Prashant Pillai MBE p.pillai@wlv.ac.uk or the administrative lead and research integrity manager Jill Morgan J.Morgan4@wlv.ac.uk

Thank you for your interest in my study.

Consent form:

1. I confirm that I have read the information sheet dated for the above study. I have had the opportunity to consider the information, ask questions and have had these answered satisfactorily.

2. I understand that my participation is voluntary, that I am free to withdraw at any time, and withdraw my data until the point of data processing, without giving any reason.

3. I understand this study involves an anonymous online survey. No audio recording or identifiable information will be collected, and responses cannot be linked to participants.

4. I understand that information collected about me during my participation in this study will be stored on the University of Wolverhampton One Drive, retained for 10 years post-study completion, and that this information will be used only for the purpose of this study.

5. I understand that information will be kept confidential to the limits of the law. Any safeguarding concerns as applicable would have to be raised in accordance with professional requirements.

6. I voluntarily agree to take part in the above study- whether I participate or not, will have no impact will have no effect on my academic progression, access to university services, or my relationship with the University of Wolverhampton.

7. I confirm that I am over the age of 18 years.

Are you currently enrolled as a postgraduate student in the Uk and over the age of 18 ?

Yes

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