Participant Information Sheet (Final version 3.0: 24/03/2025) Title: Identifying potential associations between Problematic Pornography Usage and Loss AversionResearchers: Ross Bartels, Kevin Butler, and Dylan Barden-Marshall.
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**- Sensitive and Sexual topics. This study contains questionnaire items that may make some participants feel uncomfortable (e.g., asking about pornography use and addictive behaviours such as smoking, drug and alcohol use, and gambling). If you feel these topics might distress you or make you uncomfortable, you are advised to not take part in this study.
What is the purpose of the study?In recent years, there has been an increase in research examining the link between habits (e.g., smoking) and loss aversion. This research has helped understand these habits in more depth, raising the question of whether this link applies to other behaviours, including sexual behaviours. As such, the present study will examine whether there is an association between problematic pornography use (PPU) and loss aversion (LA). This research has the potential to increase our understanding of PPU and inform effective interventions to help individuals overcome this. Although PPU and LA are the main concepts being tested, other related factors are also being examined, including addictive behaviours, levels of sexual preoccupation, and the ability to delay gratification. This study is designed to be completed online and at the participant’s convenience.
Am I eligible to take part?To partake in this study, you must be 18 years old or over and have an understanding of the English language. There are no other specific characteristics/ factors required for 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 anyway.
What will I be asked to do?Participants should fully read and understand this Information Sheet before partaking in the study. After this, participants will need to complete the online consent form on the next page. Then participants will be asked to provide demographic data, including gender, age, ethnicity, and employment. After this, participants will complete three screening questionnaires on substance-based addictions (i.e., smoking, alcohol, drug use). These questions will involve frequency of use, potential harms of such addictions on both yourself and others, and impacts upon everyday functioning e.g. neglecting tasks. The final four measures will each assess the core factors of the study, which includes a measure of loss aversion, Impulsive Choice Questionnaire, the Sexual Preoccupation Survey, and finally, the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale. Upon completion of the study, participants will be fully debriefed and signposted to any support services if required. Contact details for the researchers and the ethics department will be included in case participants need to contact anyone. This study will roughly take 20-30 minutes.
Please note: Participants will be asked questions on addiction (Gambling, Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking) and pornography use, which may be emotionally difficult for some people. Therefore, participation is not mandatory and there is a right to withdraw during the study by simply closing your tab / internet browser. Also, the questionnaires used in this study are standardised research measures and so do not reflect the views or opinions of the researchers or university.
Will I be paid expenses for taking part?You will not be paid to participate in the study. SONA participants will receive 2 points for participating in this study.
What are the possible benefits / risks of taking part?There is a small chance that this study may adversely impact some participants. In the case that this happens, contact details for support services (e.g., for “Pivotal Recovery” and “Recovery.Org.uk”) are offered after the study on the Debrief form. However, this may act as a benefit to some participants as their potentially raised awareness may motivate and encourage a more positive lifestyle through lifestyle changes and accessing support.
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.
NOTE FOR THOSE COMPLETING ON SONA – Your data will be pseudoanonymous so points can be awarded, the researchers will not be aware of who you are though.
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/researchers 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?If you feel you do not want to continue on, you are able to exit the browser tab and any data up to that point will be removed. Therefore, partially completed questionnaires (that indicate an individual has closed the browser and withdrawn from the study) will be deleted and, thus, not analysed. However, if you complete the study, we will not be able to remove the data provided, as data will be inputted anonymously and so we 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 are likely to be published in an academic journal. The research will also be used to inform future research and may be presented at conferences/talks. This study is being partially completed as part of a research internship in an undergraduate psychology course.
Who is organising and funding the research?This research is being organised by Ross Bartels, Kevin Butler and Dylan Barden-Marshall at the University of Lincoln. There is no current funding for this research.
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 [Ref: 2025_20206].
What if there is a problem?It is very unlikely that this study would cause you any harm. 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.
Further information and contact detailsSupport servicesIf you are affected by any of the issues raised so far, the following organisations may be able to provide help and advice:
Here4You: 08002346342 (Lincolnshire’s emotional wellbeing/mental health services)
Recovery.Org.Uk - Offers a helpline for porn addictions and are described as “The UK’s
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