Cluster B traits & Attitudes to Offending Behaviours

Thank you for your willingness to participate in this study. Please read the participation information sheet, selecting "start" when you are ready to do so. Participation should take approximately 15 minutes.

Participant Information Sheet

Title of Project: Examining the relationship between Cluster B traits and attitude towards offending behaviours; Mixed Methods

Researcher: Chloe Caine; C.M.Caine@2020.ljmu.ac.uk
Supervisor: Dr. Minna Lyons; M.T.Lyons@ljmu.ac.uk

I would like to invite you to participate in this research project which forms part of my MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology dissertation research. Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what your participation will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask me if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this study is to investigate if traits of the four Cluster B personality disorders (Anti-social, histrionic, narcissistic, and borderline personality disorders) have a relationship to how one perceives the acceptability of offending behaviours, and how this may occur.

Why am I invited to take part? & Do I have to take part?

There are no specific inclusion criteria for this study. Anyone over the age of 18 may take part in this study, with a general understanding of the English language. You are not obliged to take part; you may decide if you would like to. If you do, you will be given this information sheet, as this study is online, you may wish to save this information sheet before beginning the survey, as it may not be accessible after beginning. Questions may be left blank/skipped if you do not wish to answer certain questions, you are also able to withdraw your results if the page is closed before completion. Once submitted, responses cannot be withdrawn as data is fully anonymous.

What will happen to me if I take part?

You will be asked to provide your age, and your gender identity for demographic purposes. You will be guided to the first questionnaire, containing scales of 1-5. Next, you will complete a second questionnaire containing scales of 1-5; you will have the opportunity to openly explain your answer if you wish to do so. Participation should take approximately 15 minutes.

Are there any risks / benefits involved?

There are no outstanding risks within this study, however, the first questionnaire contains mental-health-related questions; the second questionnaire names criminal offences, therefore I would like to issue a content warning for each. There are no particular benefits, however, findings may help the researcher in developing knowledge in a very under-researched area of forensic psychology.

Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?

Any information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. You do not have to provide a name on any questionnaires or information sheets and therefore the information you provide cannot be identified with your name. This will be stored securely and destroyed within 24 months of completion of the study.

Has this study been approved by an ethics committee?

LJMU Psychology Research Ethics Panel has assessed the research study and approved it. Ethical Clearance code: PsyREC-RA-254-23/24

Who to contact with enquiries about this study?

Chloe Caine, (MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology Psychology, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health). C.M.Caine@2020.ljmu.ac.uk / PSYCCAIN@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr. Minna Lyons, (BSc Psychology, MSc Forensic and Investigative Psychology, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health). M.T.Lyons@ljmu.ac.uk

A content warning is present, however, if the topics mentioned in this study cause you any emotional distress, helplines and services will be offered and listed at the end of the study.

Data Protection Notice

The data controller for this study will be Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). The LJMU Data Protection Office provides oversight of LJMU activities involving the processing of personal data, and can be contacted at secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk. This means that we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. LJMU’s Data Protection Officer can also be contacted at secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk.The University will process your personal data for the purpose of research. Research is a task that we perform in the public interest. Your rights to access, change or move your information are limited, as we need to manage your information in specific ways in order for the research to be reliable and accurate. If you withdraw from the study, we will keep the information about you that we have already obtained. You can find out more about how we use your information by contacting secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk. If you are concerned about how your personal data is being processed, please contact LJMU in the first instance at secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk. If you remain unsatisfied, you may wish to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Contact details, and details of data subject rights, are available on the ICO website at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-reform/overview-of-the-gdpr/individuals-rights/

Thank you very much for reading this information sheet and for considering taking part in this study. Please proceed to the consent document and then you may begin the study.