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You may be able to take part in a research study. This form provides important information about that
study, including the risks and benefits to you as a potential participant. Please read this form carefully
and ask the researcher any questions that you may have about the study. You can ask about research
activities and any risks or benefits you may experience. You may also wish to discuss your participation
with other people, such as your family doctor or a family member.
Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary. You may refuse to participate or stop your
participation at any time and for any reason without any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are
otherwise entitled.
PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION: Researchers like Brosi et al (2009) determined that some women from
low-income Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) backgrounds must acquire the strength to overcome
challenges, leave their toxic environments, and return prepared to become leaders in their homes and
communities. This qualitative study wants to present a case study design that mental health
professionals or counselors uncover, revealing what Black IPV women implement based on the women’s
cultural mores and beliefs or values leading to social and economic barriers (St. Vil et al., 2017; Sears,
2021).
The under-studied targeted group encounters racially motivated poverty and gender violence that
negatively impacts their community standing (Eckstein 2019). Additionally, inaccurate perceptions and
beliefs of Black IPV females in urban areas deprive their communities of valuable leadership resources
and gifts that many women could offer (Eckstein, 2019). The limited studies on urban Black women in
IPV relationships do not reveal the factors that produce a profile of the women who overcome their
challenges into leadership roles in their homes or communities.
Black urban IPV women make up a vulnerable population. The women’s medical professionals and
counselors do not. So, counselors and medical professionals who work with this population and who
reside in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin may qualify for this study. The study requires
eight to ten participants selected from one of the five suggested mid-western states. Potential
participants must have at least five years of experience working with Black IPV urban women.
The study desires medical professionals and counselors willing to uncover answers to the following
research questions:
- RQ1: What sociocultural factors do medical professionals or counselors of Black urban IPV
survivors identify as influential in the women’s emergence as community leaders? - RQ2: In what ways do community support systems and networks contribute to or hinder the
leadership development of Black urban women IPV survivors?
Introduction: Leadership Emergence Among Black Urban Women
Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Exploration
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- RQ3: What resilience mechanisms do Black urban women employ to employ to overcome IPV
and transition into leadership positions?
Prospective study subjects must have a signed consent form on file. If selected for participation, in
addition to completing an on-line questionnaire, the participant would complete an interview with the
study staff over the course of two weeks. The interview is expected to take one hour and thirty
minutes. During this visit, you will be asked to participate in the following procedure: A semi-structured
interview that would take place via a Zoom meeting.
RISKS & BENEFITS: There are risks to taking part in this research study. This study carries a Breach of
Confidentiality risk. However, every precaution will be taken to avoid this happening. Other people will
have access to your responses. For instance, members of the Abilene Christian University Institutional
Review Board (IRB) must conduct oversight to insure we do not violate your rights. Although I will serve
as the principal investigator (PI), my faculty advisor will review my work. Additionally, I will have a panel
of three individuals with terminal degrees who will monitor my work, ensuring that I do not give way to
variables which could distort the study.
Although the primary risk with this study is breach of confidentiality. However, we have taken steps to
minimize this risk. We will not be collecting any personal identification data during the survey. However,
Qualtrics may collect information from your computer. You may read their privacy statements here:
https://www.qualtrics.com/privacy-statement/
Overall, this study incurs minimal risks. Instead, there are potential benefits to participating in this study.
Such benefits may include medical professionals and counselors having an opportunity to contribute
valuable insight regarding a vulnerable, understudied group. Study subjects would present cross-
culturation that will add to the study’s uniqueness and creative qualities. With the discovered responses
from the study participants, a profile may emerge that delineates methods, strategies and techniques
that you employ, shaping your restored clients. Your efforts may highlight interactive patterns, events,
or situations germane to the women. Additionally, the study could unveil daily judicial, economic, and
social barriers the women face. The researchers cannot guarantee that you will experience any personal
benefits from participating in this study. You may not experience any personal benefits from
participating in this study.
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY: Any information you provide will be confidential to the extent allowable
by law. Some identifiable data may have to be shared with individuals outside of the study team, such as
members of the ACU Institutional Review Board and my panel of professionals. The panel will include a
psychiatrist, a medical doctor, and an educator. The panel will provide guardrails to promote trust,
credibility, and transparency. These individuals will only refer to you and by using pseudonyms, and I
would request that you use pseudonyms when referring to your clients.
The primary risk with this study is breach of confidentiality. However, we have taken steps to minimize
this risk. We will not be collecting any personal identification data during the survey. However, Qualtrics
may collect information from your computer. You may read their privacy statements here:
https://www.qualtrics.com/privacy-statement/
Additionally, your confidentiality will be protected by my utilizing a Client Relationship Management
System (CRM) to help underscore your privacy and ensure confidentiality. I will store your data on an
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encrypted flash drive. Before including your contribution into the research paper, I will present it to you
for your review. Following federal guidelines, I will destroy the drive and all accumulated documentation
three years after completing the study.
CONTACTS: If you have questions about the research study, the lead researcher is Dawn Benton, Abilene
Chrisian University Doctorate Student and may be contacted at (216) 253-5038 or at dxb20b@acu.edu.
If you are unable to reach the lead researcher or wish to speak to someone other than the lead
researcher, you may contact Dr. Robert Haussmann, Abilene Christian University Faculty Advisor at
reh16a@acu.edu . If you have concerns about this study, believe you may have been injured because of
this study, or have general questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact ACU’s
Executive Director of Research, Qi Hang, at qxh22a@acu.edu.
The convenience study sample will utilize at least eight and no more than ten mental health
professionals or counselors from one Midwestern state.
Your participation may be ended early by the researchers for certain reasons. For example, we may end
your participation if you no longer meet study requirements, the researchers believe it is no longer in
your best interest to continue participating, you do not follow the instructions provided by the
researchers, or the study is ended. You will be contacted by the researchers and given further
instructions in the event that you are removed from the study.
Your participation may be ended early by the researchers for certain reasons. For example, we may end
your participation if you no longer meet study requirements, the researchers believe it is no longer in
your best interest to continue participating, you do not follow the instructions provided by the
researchers, or the study is ended. You will be contacted by the researchers and given further
instructions in the event that you are removed from the study.
Additional Information
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Please sign this form if you voluntarily agree to participate in this study. Sign only after you have read all
of the information provided and your questions have been answered to your satisfaction. You should
receive a copy of this signed consent form. You do not waive any legal rights by signing this form.
Printed Name of Participant Signature of Participant Date
Printed Name of Person Obtaining Signature of Person Obtaining Date
Consent Signature Section