Coping Mechanisms and Behaviors Related to COVID-19 (COVID-19 IMPACT)

This is a research study on the impact of COVID-19 on individuals’ psychological health and behavior. We are interested in the impact of the mitigation efforts used by many governments and individuals (e.g., social distancing) and the impact of the pandemic more generally.

This is a survey study. If you agree to participate, you will complete questionnaires. These questionnaires are validated for the purposes of this study. The survey will take 20-30 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will be asked about whether we may re-contact you about completing a second survey in several weeks. The follow-up survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You do not have to participate in the second survey to complete this one.

During the survey you will be invited to answer questions about your demographics (your age, race/ethnicity, first language etc.) as well as
- Your health behaviors, like whether you smoke, exercise or drink alcohol
- Whether you follow the self-isolation guidelines
- Your beliefs about the virus
- Your coping strategies
- Your emotions

Participation in research is voluntary and only includes individuals who agree to take part. Please take your time to consider whether or not to participate in this study. Refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled, and you may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. Your responses on the questionnaires or your decision to not participate will not affect the medical treatment you receive at Duke University or your academics or occupation at Duke.

Possible risks associated with participation are minimal. You may feel uncomfortable when completing some of the questionnaires, and with any research there is the possibility of loss of confidentiality, albeit minimal. Data are stored outside the United States and may not be subject to United States Data Protections. Data storage does comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (2018), data protection legislation of Europe.

There is no direct benefit to participating in the study. You will not receive compensation for completing the surveys. Participation may have indirect benefits to helping social scientists understand how to help a population cope and stay healthy during a pandemic.

Every precaution will be taken to prevent loss of confidentiality. Your data will be stored on a secure server to which only investigators have access. Your data will not be stored with identifying information. Your email will be stored separately from your data. After completion of the survey, all data collected stored on an external hard disk that will be kept locked at the ACThealthy Lab at the University of Cyprus. Access to such electronic files will require the use of a security code known only to the investigators and study staff. The consent forms and data in electronic form will be destroyed after 5 years from the conduct of the investigation, pursuant to Article 5 (No.1) and Recital (39) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The 5-year duration is considered sufficient for the analysis of the data and the publication of scientific articles. Only project researchers will have access to all data that will be confidential and anonymous.

If you have any questions or concerns about this research or your participation, including participant rights or research-related injuries, you can contact the Duke University Health System Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Dr. Rhonda Merwin, Principal Investigator at (919) 681-7231.