PLEASE NOTE THIS RESEARCH ABOUT CARERS IS NOW CLOSED
The Carents Room is pleased to support research about carers. The project entails informal caregivers completing an online survey – full details below. This study is focused on the well-being of informal (non-professional) caregivers and the effects of COVID-19 rules and regulations, such as social distancing
We are not involved in the research and we are not receiving any sponsorship or reward for our support – we simply want to support research about carers.
The following content has been supplied by the researcher. Potential participants are free to email the researcher about any concerns and questions. However, participants are not required to share any personal details and can also stay completely anonymous.
Researchers Details
Institution: University of the West of Scotland
Researcher: Anni Lindroos: [email protected]
Project supervisor: Nicola Douglas-Smith: [email protected]
Ethical approval number: 2020-13343-11744
Overview of the research about carers
This study is a 4th year psychology dissertation project. The study is an online written survey, which imitates an interview, but allows participants to both stay safe during COVID-19 and to stay anonymous. This study is focused on the well-being of informal (non-professional) caregivers and the effects of COVID-19 rules and regulations, such as social distancing.
In the study, you would be asked to fill out a survey where you would first be asked to upload one, two or three pictures that reflect your experience as an informal caregiver before or during COVID-19. These can be pictures taken by you or copied from public sites. You will then be asked 7 questions about your chosen image. After this, you would be asked 13 questions about being a caregiver.
Participation is completely anonymous and no identifiable information in the photographs or survey answers will be collected or used. The aim of this project is to explore well-being of informal caregivers and the effects of restrictions and regulations related to COVID-19 from the caregiver viewpoint. The survey answers will then be analysed with thematic analysis and produced into a final year dissertation report.
The participation was first estimated to last no longer than one hour and 40 minutes, but a participant has informed that a more realistic participation time is no longer than an hour. This study is interested in exploring those aspects of caregiving that the caregivers themselves find the most important, and therefore the survey gives the participant multiple opportunities to share their experiences, views, opinions, concerns or strengths openly. The study will act as a new report on the needs, concerns and strengths of carers during this global crisis. Data from this study can promote critical dialogue of caregiver well-being and shed light to related issues.
Link to the survey
The survey can be found from the following link: LINK TO SURVEY
Further details
Who can participate?
There are many definitions to the term ‘informal caregiver’. Usually they are unpaid people who provide care for another person who is experiencing long-term ill health, disability, or problems related to old age. Anyone who identifies as an informal caregiver can take part.
What is the research about?
The aim of this research about carers is to explore well-being of informal caregivers and the effects of restrictions and regulations related to COVID-19. The research includes caregivers’ chosen photographs and interview answers that will be produced into a report.
What would be required from me if I were to participate?
You would be asked to fill out a survey where you would be asked to upload photographs of your own or from public sites. You will then be asked to answer questions about your role as a carer.
Participating will be completely anonymous. Participants’ names or identifiable information in the photographs or survey answers will not be collected or used in the study.
How long does the participation last?
The participation is not expected to last more than one hour 40 minutes.
Why would I take part?
This research about carers is interested in exploring aspects of well-being that you find the most important, therefore you will have the freedom of expressing your concerns or strengths as a carer. The study will act as a new report on the needs, concerns, strengths and general lives of carers during a global crisis that COVID-19 introduced. Data from this study can promote critical dialogue of caregiver well-being and shed light to related issues.