Introduction

We are 4th year Psychology students from the University , and we are conducting our research as part of the requirement for our course subject, Research in Psychology. We are inviting you to participate in this study to better understand how self esteem acts as a mediator between anxious attachment and trust in among people who experienced being ghosted and are residing in Philippines.

Purpose of the Research

This research aims to explore whether an anxious attachment style can predict trust levels in people who have experienced being ghosted. Were interested to also to find out if self-esteem plays a role in the relationship. By understanding these connections, we can uncover how these experiences affect individuals.

By studying how people react with experience of anxious attachment. This study believe that this is important since being ghosted can be emotionally painful, and understanding how it affects trust and self-esteem can help us learn how to better support people going through it. This study can also give insights into why some people struggle more than others after being ghosted and how we can help them feel better and build stronger relationships in the future. Your participation will help us learn more about how self esteem affects anxious attachment and trust in our community.

Type of Research Intervention

This research will involve your participation in completing an online survey. The survey will ask you questions about your experience of being ghosted and how it affects your self esteem, and how you feel when you encounter information that challenges your beliefs. The survey will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

Participant Selection

You are being invited to take part in this research because you are a Filipino young adult aged 18-25 years old residing in Philippines and has a high school level proficiency in the English language. We believe your experiences and perspectives as someone who experienced ghosting and had impact on anxious attachment, self esteem and trust will help us better understand how people will have their own perspective particularly when people encounter information that contradicts their views. Your participation will contribute valuable insights to our study on how self esteem plays a role in anxious attachment and trust who experienced being ghosted.

Voluntary Participation

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You are free to choose whether or not to take part, and your decision will not affect your current status, benefits, or any services you usually receive. If you choose not to participate, you will still be able to access all the same services and opportunities available to you. You may also choose to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without any penalty or loss of benefits. If you decide to withdraw, the information you have provided will not be used in the study unless you consent to its use.

STUDY PROCEDURE

1. Informed Consent Form

Before starting, you’ll be given a form to read that explains everything about the study. This form will tell you what the study is about, how you’ll take part, and what might happen during the study. You’ll also learn about any possible risks or benefits of joining. You’ll need to provide your assent on the form online to show that you understand and agree to participate. If you’re unsure about anything, feel free to ask questions through the contact information within the form.

2. Instructions on How to Answer the Questionnaire

After signing the consent form, you’ll be asked to fill out an online questionnaire. The questions will measure your Anxious Attachment, Trust, and Self Esteem. Some questions might be about how you feel when you come across information that disagrees with your beliefs. You’ll answer by choosing options that best describe how often or how strongly you agree with a statement (for example: "Strongly Agree," "Agree," "Neutral," "Disagree," "Strongly Disagree"). If a question makes you uncomfortable, you can opt to leave the study at any time.

3. Data Collection

The answers you give will be collected using an online survey tool (Google Forms). When you finish the survey, your answers will be stored safely and securely. Only researchers and authorized parties (i.e. research supervisor) will have access to your information, and it will only be used for this study.

4. Processing the Data

After the survey is completed, your answers will be checked and analyzed to see if there are any prediction on anxious attachment, trust and does self esteem mediate between the two relationships. The data will be processed using specialized software called Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), a software for data management, analysis, and visualization to make sure your answers are correct and useful for the research.

5. Storage of Data

Your information will be kept private and secure. It will be stored in a safe online system provided by the university and on computers protected with passwords. To protect your privacy, your personal details, such as your email address, will be kept separate from your responses. Only approved members of the research team will have access to your information, and they will follow strict guidelines to ensure it stays confidential.

6. Disposal of Data

Once the study is completed, all the information collected will be permanently deleted after six months. This ensures that no one, not even the research team, will have access to your data after this period. This step is taken to protect your privacy, prevent unnecessary storage of your information, and maintain strict confidentiality.

These steps are in place to protect your privacy and make sure that your participation is safe and secure. If you have any questions or concerns, you are free to ask at any point in the process.

RISKS (Including Possible Discrimination, Burden, Discomforts, and Inconveniences)

The risks involved in this study are minimal and include the following:

Psychological Risks: Some questions might make you feel uncomfortable or emotional, especially if they encounter on sensitive topics like Ghosting, Trust or Anxious Attachment. You are free to stop participating at any time without any consequences.

Social Risks: Sharing your thoughts on trust and attachment or ghosting topics could lead to tension, but your participation is private, and answering these questions is entirely optional.

Discrimination Risks: While unlikely, there is a small chance participants may feel judged or discriminated against based on their responses. If this occurs, please notify the research team immediately. We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

Inconveniences: The survey may take up to 20-30 minutes to complete. If it becomes inconvenient, you can pause or withdraw at any time.

No Legal or Financial Risks: Taking part in the study will not affect your legal rights or financial situation, and all your personal information will be kept confidential.

Discomforts: Talking about personal relationships and experiences, especially being ghosted, may be uncomfortable or upsetting for some participants. You can choose to stop participating at any time without facing any consequences.

Risk Mitigation: If you feel uncomfortable at any point, please reach out to the research team for assistance. You can stop participating at any time without penalties, and your privacy will be protected throughout the study.

Foreseeable Circumstances and Reasons Under Which Participation in the Study May Be Terminated

Participation in the study may be terminated under the following circumstances:

Non-Completion of the Survey: If a participant does not complete the survey or provide sufficient responses for analysis, their participation may be considered incomplete and excluded from the study.
Withdrawal of Consent: If a participant decides to withdraw their consent at any point, their participation will be terminated, and their data will no longer be used unless they give explicit permission.
Violation of Study Guidelines: If a participant engages in inappropriate or disrespectful behavior (e.g., providing offensive responses or violating the confidentiality of the study), their participation may be ended to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all.
Technical Issues: If there are technical problems that prevent a participant from completing the survey (e.g., inaccessible links or incomplete submissions), their participation may be terminated unless the issue can be resolved.
Researcher’s Decision: The research team may terminate participation if unforeseen issues arise, such as data inconsistencies or ethical concerns, which could compromise the quality or integrity of the study.

Participants will be notified if their participation is ended, and any data collected from them will remain confidential and managed in line with the study's privacy policies.

BENEFITS

This study offers several benefits, particularly for those who have experienced ghosting, individuals with anxious attachment and trust issues, and those who are curious about understanding the psychological impacts of these experiences.

Benefits For Individual
The study can help individuals understand how their attachment style and self-esteem influence their ability to trust others after being ghosted.
Benefits For Academics
The study expands the existing literature on the psychological impact of ghosting, attachment theory, and trust dynamics.
Benefits For Community
The findings can guide psychologists, counselors, and therapists in addressing the emotional and psychological effects of ghosting in therapy, particularly for clients with anxious attachment styles
Benefits For Future Researchers and Professionals
The study will further analyze similar studies with an objective of delving deeper to the variables and conducting studies and observations.

REIMBURSEMENTS/COMPENSATION

Participants will have the opportunity to win a prize for taking part in the study. Five lucky winners will be selected through a raffle to receive P100 via Gcash as a token of appreciation for their time and participation. Please note that the prize is not guaranteed for everyone, and only five winners will be chosen.

No other reimbursements will be provided for expenses such as travel or the time spent participating in the study. The compensation is solely in the form of the raffle prize.

Additionally, while the study carries minimal risk, no medical treatment or compensation will be offered in case of injury, as the research involves no physical interventions. If you feel any distress or discomfort from the questions asked, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The research team will take steps to keep your information private:

Data Handling and Access: Only the approved members of the research team will have access to your data. It will be stored in secure systems with passwords and encryption to keep it safe.
Data Storage: Your information will be kept on secure devices that only authorized team members can access, and they will need extra steps, like a second password, to get into the system.
Data Deletion: After the study ends, your information will be permanently deleted after six months.
Limits to Confidentiality: While we will do our best to protect your privacy, there is a chance that you could be identified due to the nature of the study. If anything serious comes up during the research that needs to be reported (like harm to yourself or others), we may be required to inform the proper authorities.
Your Privacy: You can choose to stop participating at any time without any penalties, and your information will remain confidential.

SHARING THE RESULT

Once the data analysis is finished, the findings of the study will be shared with participants. A summary of the key results will be available to participants upon request. Sharing results is as follows:

A summary of the results will be made available to participants via email or through a secure online platform.
Participants can request a detailed summary of the study’s results if they are interested.
The overall findings will also be shared more widely through publications, academic conferences, and other platforms to contribute to broader understanding.
Participants’ individual responses will remain confidential, and results will be presented in a way that protects privacy.

RIGHT TO REFUSE OR WITHDRAW

Participation in this study is completely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without facing any negative consequences. You are not required to participate, and deciding not to take part will not impact your relationship with the researchers or the study in any way. If you choose to participate, you can stop at any point during the survey or any follow-up interactions without penalty. You will also have the chance to review your answers and, if necessary, modify or remove any information you are uncomfortable with.