Participant Information Sheet(Final version 1.0: 27.11.23)
Title of Study: Understanding Non-Consensual Somnophilia
We are inviting you to take part in a research study. Before you decide, it is important that you know why we are doing the study and what is involved. Please read the following information carefully.
Content Warning: This study will ask about sensitive topics including sexual behaviour, sexual thoughts, drug use and non-consensual sex. One of the questionnaires you will be asked to complete will ask about illegal activities. As your participation in this survey is completely anonymous, we will not be able to identify you nor link you to your answers, however the researcher understands that this may make people uncomfortable. Please do not take part if any of the topics mentioned in this warning will cause you to feel distressed in any way. If you chose to continue please read the following information carefully.
What is the purpose of the study?Somnophilia (the sexual interest in sleeping or unconscious people) has not been researched in depth. However, research has discovered that somnophilic behaviours that both people involved (the person sleeping and the person awake) see as consensual are fundamentally different to somnophilic behaviours that the sleeping person did not consent to or is not aware of.
Previous research on somnophilia has focussed on the interest in general, with measures (questionnaires) being developed that explore both consensual and non-consensual somnophilic interests. This study aims to explore non-consensual somnophilia only in more detail, for use in the researcher's MSc Thesis.
It is important to understand non-consensual somnophilia in more detail as we need to know how it differs from consensual somnophilia, and what types of thinking are associated with it.
Am I eligible to take part?You must be over the age of 18 to take part in this study.
Anyone over 18 who wants to take part is eligible for this study, even if you are not interested in somnophilia. By collecting data from people with different levels of interest in sex with sleeping people, we will be able to compare people who do and do not have the interest being researched.
Reminder: Please don’t take part if the topics mentioned in the content warning will cause you distress.
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 anyway.
What will I be asked to do?You will be asked to provide some basic information about yourself (age, gender, sexual orientation, relationship status) which will be used to explore the potential differences that these things lead to.
Following this you will be asked to complete three questionnaires. These questionnaires are based on validated questionnaires that have been used in other research into sexual interests, the only change that has been made for this study is that they have been changed to ask about somnophilia. The beliefs and behaviours asked about in the questionnaires do not reflect the views of the researcher or the University of Lincoln.
The first questionnaire explores your response to ten different scenarios. After each scenario you will be asked three questions about your response. The second questionnaire will explore your way of thinking about different topics. The questions in this questionnaire will be sexual in nature, and some might make you feel uncomfortable due to the beliefs expressed. The final questionnaire will ask you to record whether you have engaged in a variety of somnophilic behaviours in different non-consensual scenarios. You will be anonymous throughout your participation in this study. Following the questionnaires, you will be given a sheet similar to this one which will have further information about the study on it. The full study will take approximately 25 minutes to complete.
Will I be paid expenses for taking part?You will not be paid to participate in the study.
What are the possible benefits / risks of taking part?The primary benefit of this study is that you will be contributing directly to the literature on an under-researched sexual interest. As the study is anonymous the risk to you as a participant is reduced, however due to the topics discussed in the questionnaire there is a risk of distress and upset for you. You can withdraw at any time by closing the browser window, and sources of support that you are encouraged to access if you feel distressed are provided at the bottom of this document and the debrief at the end of the study. Please don’t take part if you anticipate that themes of sex, non-consensual sexual behaviour and drug use will upset you.
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.
Where will my data be stored?The data obtained from the study will be stored securely on the university OneDrive in password protected files. Only the researcher will have access to it. The data from this study may be put in an Open Access repository for other researchers to use in future research.
What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?You can withdraw from the study at any time by closing the browser window. As you have completed the study anonymously it will not be possible to remove the data provided, as the researcher will not be able to identify you in any way.
What will happen to the results of the research study?The results of this study will be written up for the researcher’s MSc thesis. Following this, the researcher hopes to publish in peer reviewed journals and share the results at conferences.
Who is organising and funding the research?This research is being organised by Abbigail Goodfellow at the University of Lincoln and is not being 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. This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by a University of Lincoln Research Ethics Committee Reference: 2022_12309
What if there is a problem?If you have a concern or a complaint about any aspect of this study, you should ask to speak to the researchers who will do their best to answer your questions.The researchers contact details are given at the end of this information sheet.
If you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally, you can make a formal complaint through the University complaints procedure or by contacting
ethics@lincoln.ac.uk.
Contact details
Lead researcher: Abbigail Goodfellow
Supervisor: Dr Ross Bartels
Sources of support
Samaritans
Provide support for emotional distress, feeling unable to cope or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Tel: 116 123 Website: www.samaritans.org
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Tel: 0300 123 3393 Website: www.mind.org.uk
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm
The Safer Living Foundation
Provide support for people who are experiencing unhealthy or distressing sexual thoughts (The Aurora Project). Please see the website below for further information and self-referral processes
Recovery Nation
Provide self-help resources for people struggling with sexually compulsive behaviour and addiction.
Victim Support
Support for those affected by crime
Tel: 0808 1689 111 Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre)
Tel: 0800 0288 022 Website: www.rasasc.org.uk
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7.30-9.30pm
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