Consent

Title of the Project: Prayer’s Effect on Love and Respect in Christian Married Couples

Principal Investigator: Gabrielle K. Keenum, M.A., Liberty University

Invitation to be Part of a Research Study

You are invited to participate in a research study. To participate, you must be over 21 years of age, heterosexual, married for a minimum of one year, comfortable with prayer, attending a Protestant Christian church, believe in Christian principles (including belief in justification by grace through faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the supremacy of Holy Scripture in matters of faith and practice), and living in the United States. Taking part in this research project is voluntary.

Please take time to read this entire form and ask questions before deciding whether to take part in this research.

What is the study about and why is it being done?

The purpose of the study is to determine the effect prayer has on experience of love and respect in Christian married couples. Significant research has been done to explore prayers effects in marital relationships, but little research has focused on assessing love and respect between spouses. This study will allow researchers to explore the effect prayer has on love and respect between spouses in the marital relationship.

What will happen if you take part in this study?

If you agree to be in this study, I will ask you to do the following things:

1. Take the Love and Respect Marriage Survey (LRMS) individually. This will take approximately 20 minutes.

2. You will then be non-randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups.

a. Two of the groups will participate in a 30-day prayer intervention. This intervention will consist of a 3–5-minute prayer for 30 days.

b. The other group will not participate in the intervention for 30 days.

3. At the end of the 30 days, individuals in all three groups will retake the Love and Respect Marriage Survey. This will take approximately 20 minutes.

How could you or others benefit from this study?

The direct benefits participants should expect to receive from taking part in this study are similar to those found in previous research studying marital prayer. Previous studies suggested possible outcomes could be changes in marital quality, marital satisfaction, marital intimacy, and like-mindedness in marriage. Prayer could also result in feelings of closeness to one’s spouse and to God.

Benefits to society include more religious community involvement, church attendance, and commitment to religious beliefs for congregations with Christian married couples involved in this study.

What risks might you experience from being in this study?

The risks involved in this study are minimal, which means they are equal to the risks you would encounter in everyday life.

How will personal information be protected?

The records of this study will be kept private. Published reports will not include any information that will make it possible to identify a subject. Data collected from you may be shared for use in future research studies or with other researchers. If data collected from you is shared, any information that could identify you, if applicable, will be removed before the data is shared.

· Participant responses will be kept confidential through the use of a code assigned to each couple.

· Data will be stored on a password-locked computer and may be used in future presentations.

How will you be compensated for being part of the study?

Participants will not be compensated for participating in this study.

Is study participation voluntary?

Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with Liberty University. If you decide to participate, you are free to not answer any question or withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.

What should you do if you decide to withdraw from the study?

If you choose to withdraw from the study, please contact the researcher at the email address included in the next paragraph. Should you choose to withdraw, data collected from you will be destroyed immediately and will not be included in this study.

Whom do you contact if you have questions or concerns about the study?

The researcher conducting this study is Gabrielle K. Keenum. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact her at gkkeenum@liberty.edu. You may also contact the researcher’s faculty sponsor, Dr. Jason Ward, at jward165@liberty.edu.

Whom do you contact if you have questions about your rights as a research participant?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and would like to talk to someone other than the researcher, you are encouraged to contact the Institutional Review Board, 1971 University Blvd., Green Hall Ste. 2845, Lynchburg, VA 24515 or email at irb@liberty.edu.

Disclaimer: The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is tasked with ensuring that human subjects research will be conducted in an ethical manner as defined and required by federal regulations. The topics covered and viewpoints expressed or alluded to by student and faculty researchers are those of the researchers and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Liberty University.

Your Consent

By signing this document, you are agreeing to be in this study. Make sure you understand what the study is about before you sign. You will be given a copy of this document for your records. The researcher will keep a copy with the study records. If you have any questions about the study after you sign this document, you can contact the study team using the information provided above.

I have read and understood the above information. I have asked questions and have received answers. I consent to participate in the study