Participant Information Sheet
Project title
The role of self-determination in predicting life satisfaction in UK gay and bisexual males: A comparative analysis
Hello, my name is Graeme, and I am a Psychology MSc student at Manchester Metropolitan University conducting research on the role of self-determination in predicting life satisfaction among gay and bisexual men in the UK. This research is part of my dissertation project and is not funded by any external organisations.
Why have I been invited?
You have been invited to participate in this study because you identify as a gay or bisexual man, aged 18 or over, and currently reside in the UK. You should have a sufficient level of English proficiency to complete this survey and NOT be currently undergoing psychological treatment for any serious mental health condition. You should also NOT be cognitively impaired that would prevent you from making informed consent.
Do I have to take part?
No, your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You can choose not to participate or withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.
What will I be asked to do?
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey. The survey will include questions about your demographic information (age, gender, sexual orientation, location, English proficiency) You will be asked about your Life Satisfaction measured by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (LIST-11) to assess your and the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale (BPNSS) to measure your levels of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
Are there any risks if I participate?
There are minimal risks associated with participating in this study. However, some questions may touch upon sensitive topics related to your sexual orientation, relationships, and overall well-being, which could potentially evoke negative emotions or discomfort. If you experience any distress, contact information for mental health support services can be found here -
https://giveusashout.org/
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://lgbt.foundation/help/helpline-email-support/
https://switchboard.lgbt/.
Are there any advantages if I participate?
There are no direct benefits or rewards for participating in this study. However, your participation will contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing well-being among gay and bisexual men in the UK, which may inform future support strategies and interventions.
Informed consent
Before accessing the online survey, you will be required to read this Participant Information Sheet and provide informed consent by completing an online consent form. The consent form will explain that your participation is voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study before completing the survey. Your data is unable to be withdrawn after completion of the survey as it is anonymous.
What information about me will you collect and why?
The study will collect demographic information (age, gender identity, sexual orientation, and location) to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and to analyse potential differences between groups. The survey data (LIST-11 and BPNSS scores) will be used to examine the relationship between self-determination constructs and life satisfaction among gay and bisexual men.
How will my information be stored and how will you look after it?
Your survey responses are anonymous and stored securely on an encrypted computer and cloud storage accessible only to the researcher and supervisor. No personally identifiable information will be collected or stored.
How will you use my information?
The anonymous data will be analysed to explore the relationships between self-determination constructs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and life satisfaction, and to compare these relationships between gay and bisexual men.
Will my data be sent anywhere else, or shared with other people or organisations?
No, your data will not be shared with any third parties or organisations outside of Manchester Metropolitan University.
When will you destroy my information?
All data will be securely deleted after the completion of the study and the submission of the dissertation, following the university's data retention policies.
Data Protection Law
Data protection legislation requires that we state the ‘legal basis’ for processing information about you. In the case of research, this is ‘a task in the public interest.’ If we use more sensitive information about you, such as information about your health, religion, or ethnicity (called ‘special category’ information), our basis lies in research in the public interest. Manchester Metropolitan is the Controller for this information and is responsible for looking after your data and using it in line with the requirements of the data protection legislation applicable in the UK.
You have the right to make choices about your information under the data protection legislation, such as the right of access and the right to object, although in some circumstances these rights are not absolute. If you have any questions, or would like to exercise these rights, please contact the researcher or the University Data Protection Officer using the details below.
You can stop being a part of the study at any time, without giving a reason by closing the survey before completion. Your data is anonymised, as such we will not be able to withdraw it, because we will not know which data is yours.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results of the study will be included in the primary researcher’s dissertation, which will be submitted to Manchester Metropolitan University as part of their MSc Psychology degree requirements. The findings may also be presented at academic conferences or submitted for publication in relevant academic journals.
Who has reviewed this research project?
This research project has been reviewed and approved by the Manchester Metropolitan University Research Ethics Committee and the supervising researcher Dr Ben Harkin.
Who do I contact if I have concerns about this study or I wish to complain?
You can contact the following people and departments with any concerns or complaints about the study –
Primary Researcher Graeme Lynch graeme.lynch@stu.mmu.ac.uk
Research Supervisor Dr. Ben Harkin b.harkin@mmu.ac.uk
Manchester Metropolitan Data Protection Officer dataprotection@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 3331 Legal Services, All Saints Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M15 6BH
UK Information Commissioner’s Office
You have the right to complain directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you would like to complain about how we process your personal data:
https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/
If you have any questions before consenting to participate please contact me on graeme.lynch@stu.mmu.ac.uk
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROJECT