From Search Bar to Heartbeats: Cyberchondria's Role in Online Health Information Seeking Across Pregnancy Trimesters and Parity Among U.S. Pregnant Women

The Department of Communication at the University of Kansas supports the practice of protection for human subjects participating in research. The following information is provided for you to decide whether you wish to participate in the present study. You may refuse to sign this form and not participate in this study. You should be aware that even if you agree to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time. If you do withdraw from this study, it will not affect your relationship with this unit, the services it may provide to you, or the University of Kansas.

 • This project is studying how pregnancy stages (trimesters) and parity (first-time vs. experienced mothers) influence online health information-seeking behaviors among pregnant women and the role of cyberchondria in these relationships.

 • Your participation in this research project is completely voluntary.

 • Your participation will take approximately 15–20 minutes.

 • You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire about your demographic information, pregnancy-related experiences, and online health information-seeking behaviors. More detailed information on the procedures can be found below.

 • There are minimal risks associated with this study, such as discomfort in answering personal or sensitive questions about your pregnancy and online behaviors.

 • There are no direct benefits to you for participating in this study, but your responses will contribute to improving maternal healthcare communication and understanding information-seeking behaviors during pregnancy.

 • Your alternative to participating in this research study is not to participate.

 • Participants will not receive payment for participation in this study.

• Your name will not be associated in any publication or presentation with the information collected about you or with the research findings from this study.

Instead, the researcher(s) will use a study number or a pseudonym rather than your name. Your identifiable information will not be shared unless (a) it is required by law or university policy, or (b) you give written permission. Permission granted on this date to use and disclose your information remains in effect indefinitely.

NOTE:
Due to the anonymous nature of the survey, you will not be able to withdraw after you submit your survey. If you would like additional information concerning this study before or after it is completed, please feel free to contact us by mail. Completion of the survey indicates your willingness to take part in this study and that you are at least 18 years old. If you have any additional questions about your rights as a research participant, you may call (785) 864-7429 or write the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), University of Kansas, 2385 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7563, email irb@ku.edu.

 Sincerely,

Researcher Contact Information

Shirley Olatunji
Principal Investigator
Communication Department
Bailey Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
olatunjishirley@ku.edu

Yan Bing Zhang
Faculty Supervisor
Communication Department
Bailey Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
 ybzhang@ku.edu

You are not required to sign this Consent and Authorization form and you may refuse to do so without affecting your right to any services you are receiving or may receive from the University of Kansas or to participate in any programs or events of the University of Kansas. However, if you refuse to sign, you cannot participate in this study.

CANCELLING THIS CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION

You may withdraw your consent to participate in this study at any time. You also have the right to cancel your permission to use and disclose further information collected about you, in writing, at any time, by sending your written request to: Shirley Olatunji. Bailey Hall, Lawrence, Kansas.

If you cancel permission to use your information, the researchers will stop collecting additional information about you. However, the research team may use and disclose information that was gathered before they received your cancellation, as described above.

STATEMENT BY PERSON AGREEING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY

I have read this informed consent and By clicking continue, I give permission for the use and disclosure of my information for purposes of this study at any time in the future.