Assessing the functions of sexual fantasies

Participant Information Sheet

Title of Study: Assessing the functions of sexual fantasies
Name of Researcher(s): Ross Bartels, Charlotte Petchey, Ebony Colledge

We'd like to ask you to participate in this research project. It is totally up to you whether or not to participate in the research. Before you make a decision, I'd like to describe what the study will entail. You can read through this sheet at your own pace and if you have any questions the researcher is happy to answer them.

**Content Warning** - This study is examining a sexual topic. It involves you being asked to complete the Function of Sexual Fantasies Scale, which contains questions relating to why you sexually fantasize. Furthermore, you will be asked to complete a Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales, which includes statements about how you might react to various sexual situations, activities, or behaviours. If these questions are likely to cause discomfort or distress, please do not take part.

What is the purpose of the study?
The functions of sexual fantasies have been theorised by several studies and have been the topic of considerable study. In summary, research commonly states sexual fantasies can aid with sexual release, self-esteem, remembering emotions, substituting actual sexual conduct, and resisting boredom (Byrne, 1977; Masters et al., 1985; Palii, 2018). However, no measure has been created to assess individuals’ functions of sexual fantasies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the functions of sexual fantasies, utilising a new measure. The research will be carried out on QuestionPro and will take approx. 20 minutes to complete. After reading the participant information sheet and signing the consent form, you will be asked some demographic questions (if you do not wish to answer them, please leave them blank). Following the demographic questions, you will be asked questions relating to why you sexual fantasize, questions about both positive and negative feelings about the self, statements about how you might react to various sexual situations, activities, or behaviours, questions relating to boredom, and if (you’re in a relationship) questions relating to relationship satisfaction. Once completed, you will be debriefed and thanked. The results of this study will provide researchers with an insight into the functions of sexual fantasies, which will have important implications for real-world practice.

Please remember - This study is examining a sexual topic. It involves you being asked to complete the Function of Sexual Fantasies Scale. Which contains questions relating to why you sexually fantasize. Furthermore, you will be asked to complete a Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales which includes statements about how you might react to various sexual situations, activities, or behaviours. If this is likely to cause discomfort or distress, please do not take part. Also, if you do not sexually fantasize, please do not take part. This study is being carried out, in part, to supplement the completion of a Research Internship module on the BSc Psychology programme at the University of Lincoln.

Am I eligible to take part?
You are being invited to take part due to the use of a convenience sampling method and because you are over 18 years old, are able to read and understand English, and sexually fantasize. These are the requirements to partake in this study.

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 any way.

What will I be asked to do?
Before you begin the study, you will sign an e-consent form stating that you have read the participant information sheet fully and that you're happy to participate following this you will complete demographic questions asking your age, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Following the demographic questions, you will be asked questions relating to why you sexually fantasize, questions about both positive and negative feelings about the self, statements about how you might react to various sexual situations, activities, or behaviours, questions relating to boredom and if you’re in a relationship question relating to relationship satisfaction. This will take only approx. 20 minutes to complete. Once this is completed you will be debriefed and thanked.

There are no follow-ups required.There will be no collection of any personally identifying information. If you feel uncomfortable or distressed at any point, you can withdraw from the study without explanation or consequence.

Will I be paid expenses for taking part?
You will not be paid to participate in the study. The University of Lincoln students who have signed up via SONA will receive 2 SONA points when they have completed this study.

What are the possible benefits/risks of taking part?
There are no potential risks or harm as a consequence of taking part in this research. However, this study does focus on topics such as sexual fantasies and sexual excitation and inhibition that some participants may find uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable or distressed at all during the study, you are free to withdraw at any time. To do so, simply click off the browser. As a reminder, your participation is voluntary. There will be no direct benefits for taking part in this research. The research is being conducted to extend the current literature and provide potential insights that be utilised in real-world applications.

Will anyone know I have taken part?
The information we collect will be handled in confidence. No one will know you have taken part, as your responses are anonymous. However, please note that data collected via SONA will be pseudo-anonymised, as an ID is created to allow the assigning of SONA points to the correct participant account. However, the researchers will not access this ID.

Where will my data be stored?
The study's data will be safely saved in a password-protected file on the university's OneDrive. It will only be accessible to the researcher.

What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
Your participation is entirely optional, and you have the right to withdraw at any moment, without explanation, and without affecting your legal rights. If you want to withdraw at any time during the questionnaire, click off the internet browser. We will be unable to remove your data after it has been submitted because we will be unable to identify you.

What will happen to the results of the research study?
Data will be kept pseudo-anonymous, and any publications emerging from this study will only include information that does not identify specific individuals.

Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is being organised by the University of Lincoln and is not funded.

Who has reviewed the study?
All research conducted by the University of Lincoln is looked at by an independent group of people, called a Research Ethics Committee, to protect your interests.If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, you should ask to speak to the researcher, who will do their best to answer your questions. The researcher's contact details are given at the end of this information sheet. If you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally, you can do this by contacting Soprec@lincoln.ac.uk. If you feel that we have let you down in relation to your information rights then please contact the Information Compliance team by email on compliance@lincoln.ac.uk or by post at Information Compliance, Secretariat, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS. You can also make complaints directly to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO is the independent authority upholding information rights for the UK. Their website is ico.org.uk and their telephone helpline number is 0303 123 1113.

Further information and contact details
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this form or later in the study, the following organisations may be able to provide help and advice (and also listed on the final Debrief):

•         Sexual health service: https://www.brook.org.uk/contact-us/
•         RELATE – relationship counselling: https://www.relate.org.uk/find-your-centre
•         University of Lincoln Student Well-Being: 01522886400

Researchers’ contact details:
Meg Griffin - 26457983@students.lincoln.ac.uk
Ross Bartels, PhD - rbartels@lincoln.ac.uk

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