Invitation to Participate in a Survey Approved By IRB

You are invited to participate in a research study entitled “The Impact of Covid-19, Economic Collapse and the Beirut Port Explosion on the Mental Health of AUB Students” conducted by Dr. Hani Tamim and Dr. Farid Talih from the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Bilal Kaafarani from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Beirut. The conduct of this study will adhere to the IRB approved protocol.

This message invites you to read the consent document and consider whether you want to be involved in the study.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of the various stressors experienced by AUB students (COVID pandemic, Beirut port explosion and economic collapse) on students’ mental health.  Specific aspects of mental health assessed include depression, anxiety and burn-out. This is a cross-sectional study, and data will be collected via a survey. Our target sample size is 500 participants.

ELIGABILITY

You are invited to participate in this study as an AUB undergraduate (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) or graduate/medical student above the age of 18. If you do not fit this criteria, please disregard this message.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Participation in this study is completely voluntary. All data collected will be anonymous. Records will be monitored and may be audited by the IRB while assuring confidentiality. Only the data you provide in the questionnaire will be collected and analyzed and researchers will not have access to personal identification or contact information.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY

The results of the survey will be published in a research article. We hope that the results of this study may also inform efforts to improve students’ wellbeing in response to the aforementioned stressors. 

POTENTIAL RISKS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR SOCIETY

The risks of the study are minimal. You may experience distress or embarrassment when answering some of the questions. Please note that some questions are specific to outcomes of the Beirut Blast, and as such, some questions might disturb participants. You may opt out of answering these questions. The resources listed below are intended for your use should you need any support.

AUB Counseling Center:

+961 1 350000 Ext: 3196 (only during working hours)

Email: counselingcenter@aub.edu.lb​

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AUBMC University Health Services (UHS):

+961 1 350000 Ext: 3000

Email: uhs@aub.edu.lb

Embrace:

+961 1 346 226

Lifeline: 1564

PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL

Should you decide to participate in this study, please note that you will not receive any compensation for your participation, monetary or otherwise. Refusal to participate or withdrawal from the study will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and neither will it affect their relationship with their organization and AUB/AUBMC. This study is not part of any course or university program.

If you voluntarily consent to take part in this study, you can change your mind and withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. No question is mandatory, with the exception of the first section that is designed to collect your consent and affirm your eligibility. At any point during the completion of the survey, you can choose to opt out.

Completing the survey will take around 15-20 minutes.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY

If you have any questions about the study, you can contact the research team at  info.howareyoudoing.study@gmail.com and Dr. Hani Tamim (Ext: 5453 / email: htamim@aub.edu.lb)

ACCESS TO THE SURVEY

If after reading the consent document and having your questions answered, you voluntarily agree to take part in the study; you can access the survey by clicking on the following link. 

CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS

If you have concerns about the study or questions about your rights as a participant, you can contact the AUB IRB Office:

Telephone: 00961​ -1-350000 or 1 374374, ext: 5445

Email: irb@aub.edu.lb