Participant Information Sheet/ Information about the research
(Draft Version 2.0 / Final version 2.0: 06.05.23)
Title of Study: Understanding the impact and meaning of trauma for individuals with borderline personality disorder features
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.
What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding and expand on current research surrounding the relationship between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and trauma by investigating trauma experiences of individuals with BPD features. Using a general public sample who will respond to a BPD screening measure, this study aims to investigate whether individuals with BPD features experience more traumatic incidents, compared to individuals with no BPD features, and whether complex trauma is higher among individuals with BPD features. Additionally, this study aims to explore the relationship between trauma experiences and behavioural outcomes including problematic relationships, sexual risk-taking behaviour, problematic drug and alcohol misuse, and self-harm. This study also focuses on the way in which people with BPD features make sense of their complex trauma by giving an opportunity for participants to provide an indication of the meaning they made of their traumatic event.
Am I eligible to take part?
You are being invited to take part because you are part of the general population. We are aiming to recruit 150 participants including those with and without a diagnosis of BPD to compare answers for further analysis on how different individuals make sense of their trauma. We are also keen to hear the individual views and lived experiences of individuals who have a diagnosis of BPD or features of BPD.
Participants must be able to fluently speak and write English and be 18+.
This project aims to recruit 150 participants, thus will be available for a limited time only. It is advised if you wish to participate that you do so promptly to avoid any disappointment. The study will be taken down once we have received the desirable number of participants.
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?
**Content Warning** Topics of potentially sensitive nature: Drug/ Alcohol Use/ Abuse, Death, Violence/Abuse, Crimes, Mental Health Issues, Distressing/ Traumatic experiences, Eating disorders, Self-harm, Questions of a sexual nature. Therefore, if such topics are likely to cause you distress, it is advised that you do not participate.
You will be asked to give your consent electronically at the start of the study, after reading all of the relevant materials.
This study should take around 40 minutes to complete.
Firstly, participants will give consent, then fill out demographic information. Following this, you will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires. You will be asked questions around the presence of BPD traits such as “Have any of your closest relationships been troubled by a lot of arguments or repeated breakups?”. This tool is not a formal clinical diagnosis, however, if you are concerned, it is recommended that you contact your GP. You will also be asked questions around traumatic experiences such as “Have you ever been in a serious car accident, or a serious accident at work or somewhere else?”. You will be asked questions around your relationship satisfaction in several areas such as “Communication and openness”. You will be asked questions around your sexual behaviour such as “Do you use protection during sexual relationships?”. You will be asked questions around your alcohol use such as “How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?”. You will also be asked questions around your drug use such as “How often do you use drugs other than alcohol?”. Additionally, you will be asked questions around self-harm behaviour such as “Have you ever intentionally overdosed?”. This will be followed by a question asking what sense you made of any experienced trauma, where you will be able to select from the options given (e.g., “Unsafe, afraid, attacked”). Finally, there will be a question asking whether you have been involved in the criminal justice system. It is important to note that you will be asked to respond to validated questionnaires and therefore the questions do not reflect the views of the researchers nor the University.
The questionnaires within this study cannot be used as a diagnostic tool. If you have any concerns regarding any topics explored in this study, please contact the support organisations provided below.
There is no long-term follow up, and the study will be completed solely online.
Will I be paid expenses for taking part?
You will not be paid to participate in the study.
If you are a student at the University of Lincoln and you take part in this study via SONA, you will receive SONA points for your participation.
What are the possible benefits / risks of taking part?
There are no perceived benefits to the individual taking part in the research. However, the main benefits come from a broader perspective. There are benefits in terms of deepening the understanding of trauma in those with BPD features. It is a fairly under-researched area, with most research not including individuals own meaning of their experiences.
There should be no significant harm to the participants however, there is a content warning within this study. Due to the nature of studying BPD, topics of suicide, self-harm and substance misuse are included within the questionnaires. Whilst this is brief, there is still mention. If any of these may be triggering to you, researchers urge you to not take part or consent to this research. It is important that if you are struggling with BPD, or any other mental health issues, that you consult with your counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist before completing this research to ensure that you are fit enough to do so.
Due to the under researched nature of this field, the full extent of the consequences of this research is uncertain. Please take care considering you participation and speak to another trusted adult before taking part if you feel you may be harmed or experience psychological distress due to the type of questions being asked.
If you require immediate help please get in contact with any of the following services immediately, and not the researchers, thank you.
- Your GP
- University of Lincoln student wellbeing centre: Call 01522 886400
- Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust Wellbeing Helpline: Call 0800 001 4331
- Samaritans: Call 116 123
- SANEline: Call 0300 304 7000
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: Call 0800 689 5652
- MIND: Call 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk
- SHOUT: Text 85258
- FRANK: Call 0300 123 6600 or access their website talktofrank.com
- Safeline: Call 01926 402 498
- BPDWORLD: https://www.bpdworld.org/
- Victim Support: Call 08081689111 or access their website https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
- Emergency services: 111 (if you are not in immediate danger) Please call 999 if you require immediate help.
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/researchers will have access to it. The data from this study may be put in an Open Access repository and be available for other researchers to use in future research.
What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
Participants are able to withdraw from the study at any point throughout the completion of the questionnaire (e.g., by closing the web browser).
If you withdraw before completing the study, any incomplete data will be removed and deleted. However, once you have completed the study, it will not be possible to remove the data provided as your participation is anonymous therefore, it will not be possible to identify you in any way.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
Results of this research will be included in a thesis project. There is a possibility that the results of this study might be published in peer-reviewed journals.
As participation in this study is anonymous, it will not be possible to inform participants of the results of the study.
Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is being organised by Hannah Matthews and Rachael Dagnall at the University of Lincoln.
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 UoL2023_12721.
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.
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