A dairy study of excessive daydreaming

1 What is the purpose of this study?
Many people daydream and some more than others. Some people may daydream for large periods of time and may feel this interferes with their daily life. This will be the first diary study of its kind investigating maladaptive daydreaming, and could give important insights into the onset and duration of daydreaming episodes in people that excessively daydream.

2 Do I have to take part?
 

• It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to take part in this study.
• Agreeing to join the study does not mean that you have to complete it.
• You are free to withdraw at any stage without giving a reason, and you can withdraw your data until April 1st 2024.

3 Am I eligible to take part?

• Participants must be aged between 18 to 45.
• Have a good command of written and spoken English.
• Identify themselves as a maladaptive daydreamer. 

4  What will happen to me if I take part?
If you decide to take part, the first thing to happen is that you will be asked to fill out a consent form. You will then be asked demographic questions such as your age, gender, and ethnicity. You will then be asked to fill out a survey about your mood, daydreaming patterns, and resilience to establish your eligibility for the study (this will take approximately 7-10 minutes). If eligible, you will be invited to participate in the diary study, where you will first be asked to attend a zoom meeting discussing your participation and answering any questions you may have (approximately 20-30 minutes). Then you will be asked to record details about your daydreams, and daily stresses you experience across three consecutive days. After this you will be asked again to complete a survey about your mood, and about your experiences completing the diary study (approximately 10 minutes long).

5 What are the possible disadvantages, risks or side effects of taking part?
Answering questions about your mood, maladaptive daydreaming, and daily stress may make you uncomfortable or cause distress. If you feel distressed you may withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason.

6 How will my data be kept confidential?
Your personal data such as gender, age, ethnicity, employment status, country of residence and email address will be stored electronically, in a password-protected file on the GDPR compliant One Drive at the University of Hertfordshire, which will be accessed by the research team only (Gemma Dix and Lia Kvavilashvili). All the data from the surveys and the diary will be kept in separate datasets that will have your anonymity number instead of your name or other identifying information.

The anonymised data will be retained by the research indefinitely for data analysis and subsequent scientific publication. On completion of the study in April 2024, the lead investigator (Gemma Dix) will delete all your identifying information including your email address, and your data will be kept anonymously with your anonymity code. As you will be completing the study online, privacy cannot be guaranteed, please complete the study in private.

7 Is this study ethically sound?
This study has been approved by the University of Hertfordshire Health, Science, Engineering and Technology, Ethics Committee with Delegated Authority (HSET ECDA) . Protocol number: LMS/UG/UH/05562

8 Who can I contact if I have any questions?
 If you would like further information or would like to discuss any details personally, please get in touch with Gemma Dix, by email or by phone: gd20aab@herts.ac.uk , 07749064025

Although we hope it is not the case, if you have any complaints or concerns about any aspect of the way you have been approached or treated during the course of this study, please write to the University’s Secretary and Registrar at the following address:

Secretary and Registrar
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane
Hatfield
Herts
AL10 9AB
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If you are interested in taking part, please read the statements below and then click ‘YES’ to record your consent to participate.

• I confirm that I have read the study information. I have had the opportunity to consider the information and ask questions. Any questions have been answered satisfactorily

• I understand that my participation is voluntary, and I am free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason