Consent Form

Dear Potential Participant:

You are invited to take part in a research study about the challenges that singletons, siblings to multiple-birth twins or higher order of multiples within the same family experienced. This form is part of a process called “informed consent” to allow you to understand this study before deciding whether to take part. My name is Claudia Contreras, and I am a doctorate graduate and volunteer for Multiples of America. I will be conducting this research with Multiples of America National Worker volunteers as part of the IRB (Institutional Review Board). 

Background Information

The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges that singletons, siblings to multiple-birth twins or higher order of multiples within the same family experienced and how these experiences molded them to the adults that they are today. The results of this study may assist parents of multiples and singletons to learn effective parenting strategies to proactively address potential challenges the singletons experience while being raised in a multiple-birth family. The results are expected to contribute to social change by providing parents strategies to effectively manage the balance in raising multiples and singletons and minimizing stress or take proactive actions as needed. The results of this study may contribute to social change by providing parents insight of the challenges that singletons experience and how to overcome them. Addressing the challenges that singletons experience when being raised with multiples would be beneficial for the parents to ensure a well-balanced parenting experience for all siblings.

 Data Collection and Interview Procedures

If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to:

- Participate in a 30 minute to 1-hour long face to face or virtual semistructured interview.

- Allow the researcher to record the interview for future analysis and transcription.

- Verify the accurate interpretation of what you meant to say in the interview and provide feedback. You will perform this process through the review of the summary of findings of your interview, which I will share with you via email. This process will take a maximum time of one hour, including the communication before and after with me.  

Voluntary Nature of the Study

This research study is strictly voluntary. Everyone will respect your decision whether or not you choose to participate in this study. If you decide to join this study now, you can decline participation at any time or stage of the research. You may select not to answer some of the interview questions if you do not want to respond.

Risks and Benefits of Being in this Study

This research study has minimal risks involved. The results of this study may assist parents of multiples and singletons to learn effective parenting strategies to proactively address potential challenges the singletons experience while being raised in a multiple-birth family. The results are expected to contribute to social change by providing parents strategies to effectively manage the balance in raising multiples and singletons and minimizing stress or take proactive actions as needed. The results of this study may contribute to social change by providing parents insight of the challenges that singletons experience and how to overcome them. Addressing the challenges that singletons experience when being raised with multiples would be beneficial for the parents to ensure a well-balanced parenting experience for all siblings.

Payment

There will be no monetary compensation or material incentives to participants of any kind. However, the conclusion of the research will be made available.

Privacy

During and after the interview process, all information you provide will be kept confidential. Your personal information will not be used for any purposes outside of this research study. I will not include your name and family’s name or anything else that could identify you in the study reports. I will assign a number for each participant, such as P1, P2, or P3, throughout the entire study.

All electronic files will be saved as password-protected files in the drive for 5 years. We will shred interview data, research files, electrical files, and transcripts at the end of 5 years.

Contacts and Questions

You can ask any questions you have now. If you have any questions later or need to reach out to me, you can contact me via email at communications@multiplesofamerica.org. If you want to speak privately about your rights as a participant, you may email a info@multiplesofamerica.org. 

Statement of Consent

Hereby consent to participate on this study if selected as a final participant.   

By consenting, you confirm that you are over the age of 18 years old and have read the above information and feel you understand the study well enough to make a decision about your involvement. Your consent means you agree to the terms described above and to this Statement of Consent.