The purpose of the study is: (a) to evaluate how the ongoing conflict affects employees' perceived productivity, considering psychological and environmental stressors caused by the crisis; (b) to explore the association between perceived productivity, personality traits, coping strategies, and war-related stress among employees in a conflict-affected environment; (c) to identify which coping strategies (based on the Brief Coping Scale) employees employ during conflict and how these strategies influence productivity and responses to war-related stress; (d) to analyze how individual personality traits shape employees' coping strategies, and productivity amidst conflict.
If you agree to participate, you will be redirected to an anonymous link and asked to complete a survey that has questions related to your demographics (e.g. age, gender, marital status), including country of residence, safety concerns, and reliance on religious practices, alongside validated scales such as the Perceived Productivity Scale, War-Related Stress Scale, Brief Coping Scale, and Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI).
Consent to participate in an Online Survey
This notice is for an AUB-IRB Approved Research Study for
Dr. Imad Bou Hamad at AUB
American University of Beirut-Beirut, Lebanon
**It is NOT an Official Message from AUB**
You are invited to participate in a research study entitled “How Personality Traits Shape Coping Strategies and Productivity During Conflict” conducted by Dr. Imad Bou Hamad, Faculty at the Olayan School of Business at the American university of Beirut.
The conduct of this study will adhere to the IRB-approved protocol. The purpose of the study is (a) to evaluate how the ongoing conflict affects employees' perceived productivity, considering psychological and environmental stressors caused by the crisis; (b) to explore the association between perceived productivity, personality traits, coping strategies, and war-related stress among employees in a conflict-affected environment; (c) to identify which coping strategies (based on the Brief Coping Scale) employees employ during conflict and how these strategies influence productivity and responses to war-related stress; (d) to analyze how individual personality traits shape employees' coping strategies, and productivity amidst conflict.
The study will use the following scales: productivity at work, influence of war-related stressors, and coping strategies employed during conflict. Additionally, individual personality traits will be assessed.
PROCEDURES
This message invites you to:
Read the consent document and consider whether you want to be involved in the study. And to note:
• Participation is completely voluntary.
• Participants will be recruited through social media
• Completing the questionnaire will take around 10-15 minutes.
• Only the data you provide in the questionnaire will be collected and analyzed. The research team will not have access to your name or contact details.
• The results of the survey will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Inclusion criteria: Participants must be at least 18 years old, currently employed, and able to provide informed consent. Both individuals residing in Lebanon and Lebanese expatriates with familial ties to the region will be eligible.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR TO SOCIETY
You will not receive any direct compensation for participating in this study; however, your participation will provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by employees during conflict. These findings will help organizations, mental health professionals, and policymakers design and implement programs and services that better support employees’ productivity, well-being, and resilience in crisis settings.
POTENTIAL RISKS TO SUBJECTS AND/OR SOCIETY
The risks of the study are minimal. Participants may feel uncomfortable while answering certain questions related to war stressors. To address this, a comprehensive list of mental health resources available in the community will be provided at the end of the survey, as well as on the survey's welcome page. These resources will ensure participants have access to professional support if needed.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The collected data will remain confidential and anonymous. Confidentiality will be provided to the fullest extent possible by law. All collected data will be kept on the PI’s password protected computer and will only be accessible to the research team members.
Records will be monitored and may be audited by the IRB while assuring confidentiality. There is no identifying information linking a particular answer to a particular person.
PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL
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. Please note that all questions in the survey are mandatory to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the scales used in the study. Refusal to participate or withdrawal from the study will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled, and neither will it affect your relationship with the organization where you are currently employed.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY
If you have any questions about the study, you can contact the research team via email at:
Imad Bou Hamad ib12@aub.edu.lb
Reem Hoteit rah84@mail.aub.edu
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 (ID 924124) by clicking on the following link http://survey.aub.edu.lb/index.php/924124?lang=en . This survey is administered through the “lime survey” platform. A copy of the consent document can be downloaded and saved.
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: address: American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, Hamra, Beirut / phone number: 00961 -1-350000 or 1 374374, Ext: 5445 / email: irb@aub.edu.lb
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT RESOURCES
- A self-care resource, prepared by the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon, is available to help manage stress: https://moph.gov.lb/en/Pages/0/75874/self-care.
- Nehna Haddak Initiative that provides counseling and psychological support to all people living in Lebanon free of charge. Contact Email: nehnahadakbp@gmail.com ; Hotline (WhatsApp): 81648150 ; Facebook page: B+ نحنا حدك- https://www.facebook.com/NehnaHadakBP/ ;
- AUBMC Department of Psychiatry: location: ACC building, 4th floor; contact phone number: 01759620.
- If you are covered by an insurance, you can call your insurance agency to inquire about mental health coverage and referrals to mental health professionals.
If you feel you are in need of immediate assistance, you can call the Embrace Lifeline at 1564 or go to the nearest emergency room.
There are 18 questions in this survey.
