Research on Families as Partners in Reducing Violence – Family Member

STUDY BASICS

Are you the family member of a loved one living with mental or behavioral health issues? Have you witnessed a violent incident involving your loved one in the past 6 months? If so, you and your family member may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about how family members manage serious conflict situations. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

While most people with mental or behavioral health issues are not violent, people with mental illness are at a higher risk of being involved in violent incidents. When violence does occur, a family member is often involved as a participant or as a resource to stop the situation from getting worse. The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn more about how families handle violent and potentially violent incidents involving a loved one living with mental or behavioral health issues. Researchers hope their findings will lead to the development of educational materials that can help families better manage violent situations involving people with mental illness.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Have a family member who is living with mental or behavioral health issues (ex. schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, or another psychotic or mood disorder)
• Either live with this loved one or have contact with them at least once every 2 weeks
• Have witnessed an incident of violence involving this loved one in the past 6 months
• You believe that this loved one may be willing to participate in this study with you

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves a 2-hour interview in a private location. Researchers will talk with you about a violent incident that occurred in the past 6 months, as well as an incident where a violent outcome was avoided. Your family member or close friend will be interviewed separately about the same incidents. Researchers will not share any information with either participant about what the other participant discussed. All interviews will be tape recorded. If you do not allow the researcher to tape record your interview, you will be unable to participate.