INTRODUCTION:  You are invited to participate in the Coronavirus Bereavement Study a research study conducted by Sarah Brown-Adams, M.A., Rachel Czosniak, M.A., Alejandra Zamora, M.A, and Richard Zweig, PhD. from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University. Your participation is voluntary. Please carefully read the information below before deciding whether or not to participate. This study has been approved by the WCG Institutional Review Board.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We are asking you to take part in this research study because you have experienced a loss during the pandemic, and we are interested to learn more about factors that may be related to your bereavement experiences. Completion of the online questionnaire will constitute consent to participate in this research project. 

PROCEDURES: If you volunteer to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire that surveys your loss and bereavement experiences as well as your general background information (gender, age, health status, and so forth), mood, personality, coping, social engagement, stressors, and functioning. This is expected to take about 30-45 minutes of your time. There will also be opportunities for open-ended responses to questions about your experiences, and a follow-up phone interview if you choose this. 

POTENTIAL RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS: We believe that risks and discomforts from participating in the study are minimal. Recalling your loss and the grieving rituals associated with that loss may cause you to experience some sadness, anger, or unpleasant feelings that are common with the process of mourning. 

POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY: Although there is no direct benefit from participation in the study, we believe that the results of the study will help us to understand how the coronavirus pandemic affected individuals’ experience of their loss and its relation to other factors. Eventually, this research could improve our understanding of the factors that contribute to individuals’ bereavement experiences. 

PAYMENT/COMPENSATION FOR PARTICIPATION: You will not be paid for participating in this research study. If you choose you will have the opportunity of entering a drawing for a $100 gift card that is open only to participants in this research project. 

CONFIDENTIALITY: There will be no information obtained in connection with this study that can be identified with you. Your name, address or other information that may identify you will not be collected during the survey. Thus, your participation is anonymous, unless you choose to be contacted for an interview, and there will be no way to link your data back to you. The data will be stored in the investigator’s office in a password protected computer. These files will be kept indefinitely by Dr. Richard Zweig and may be used in future research studies. The members of our research team and the Western IRB’s Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP) may access the de-identified data. The HSPP reviews and monitors research studies to protect the rights and welfare of research subjects. Under some circumstances, the de-identified data set may be shared with other researchers working on similar topics. Again, these data are anonymous and could not be linked to you, and so your confidentiality will be protected. 

PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL: You can choose whether or not to participate in this study. If you volunteer to be in this study, you may withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. You may also refuse to answer any questions you don’t want to answer and still remain in the study. 

RIGHTS OF RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS: You may withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue participation without penalty. You are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies because of your participation in this research study. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research subject, contact the WCG Institutional Review Board (WCG IRB), WCG IRB, 1019 39th Ave., SE, Suite 120, Puyallup, WA 98374, phone: 855-818-2289; email: clientservices@wcgirb.com. 

CONTACTING INVESTIGATORS: If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact our research team at cbsstudyferkauf@gmail.com. 

STARTING THE STUDY If you age 55+, and have experienced the death of a significant other during the pandemic, and consent to participate please proceed by clicking "yes, I agree to participate."