• Benefits. A benefit to participating is that your story may help institutions learn
how to better help individuals who are victims of this dynamic and create policies
accordingly.
• Alternatives. Participation is voluntary and the only alternative is to not
participate.
Purpose of This Study
The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore mental health educators who have
experienced unwanted or persistent online contact from a current or former student(s). For
the purpose of this study, mental health educators include professors or instructors who actively teach counselor education, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or clinical social work
and are actively involved in training students to become therapists.
Unwanted or persistent contact through technological means can look like:
a) contacting the educator via social media
b) tracking the educator through web searching and computer databases
c) threatening the educator
d) giving unwanted sexual advances towards the educator
e) contacting the educator numerous times despite the educator calling for the current or
former student to stop;
f) spreading lies about the educator;
g) the student or former student pretending to be a different person in order to access the
educator online;
h) sharing information about the educator that is considered private; and/or
i) sending unwanted gifts to the educator.
The researchers aim to discover the nature of unwanted or persistent online contact from a
current or former student(s), along with the toll that this dynamic takes on educators; how
these instructors/professors cope with this dynamic; the gatekeeping processes that are utilized to
prevent current or former students from progressing in their programs; as well as resources
instructors/professors use either on campus or outside of campus to help with the gatekeeping
process. The results of this study may help mental health educators learn more about the nature
of this phenomenon within therapists-in-training well as how professors cope with unwanted or
persistent online contact from a current or former student(s).
We are seeking participants who would be willing to participate in a confidential interview. If
you are an individual who:
a) Is a Mental Health Educator, such as a Counselor Educator or Instructor, Psychology
Professor or Instructor, or Social Work Professor or Instructor
b) Have experienced unwanted or persistent online contact from a current or former
student(s)
c) Is at least 18 years of age or older
then the researchers would be interested in speaking with you about your experiences.
The information the researchers gather from this study may help inform future higher education
practices and initiatives.
Procedures
The steps for participating in this study are as follows:
1. If you wish to participate, please click on the Qualtrics link at the bottom of this
document.
2. Click on this link to download a copy of the Informed Consent Document [link will be
inserted in Qualtrics].
3. Please provide your contact information, so that one of the researchers can reach out to
you to schedule a time to zoom.
4. Before the interview, one of the researchers will email you a copy of the General
Recording Release form, which you can then sign and return. This will be sent to you via
Adobe Sign.
5. During your scheduled interview, one of the researchers will interview you for about 30-
45 minutes regarding your experiences. At the end of your interview, you will be able to
add/amend your responses in any way that you choose. This interview will be recorded,
but only the research team members will have access to the interview. Additionally,
instead of using your real name, you will be provided an alternate name before the video
is recorded and during the transcription process, in order to de-identify your data. If you
would prefer to have your camera off during the recording, that is okay, too.
6. The interview recording will be stored to Echo 360 in a password protected folder.
7. The researchers will then transcribe the interview.
8. Once all of the participant interviews are transcribed, the researchers will analyze the
data.
9. Upon completion of the project, all interview recordings will be destroyed.
10. The researchers will share our results with you once our project is complete. We
anticipate this project being completed by November of 2026.
Location
This study will take place virtually, with interviews conducted via zoom.
Risks and Benefits
One risk to participating is that talking about previous unwanted or persistent online contact
from a current or former student(s)may be emotionally stressful for interviewees. A benefit to
participating is that stories of these experiences may help the researchers garner a greater
understanding of how institutions may be able to assist future victims of this dynamic and create
policies accordingly.
Risk-Benefit Ratio
It may be stressful to share previous experiences of this dynamic. If at any time you feel like you
need to skip a question due to discomfort, or withdraw from the study, you are able to do so
without penalty. If you would like to speak with a counselor, the researchers can connect you to
the 988 Lifeline. Potential benefit to participating is that your story may help guide higher
education institutions in creating policies which protect educators.
Confidentiality
Only the researchers listed above will have access to what you say in your interview.
Additionally, your identity will be removed when analyzing and potentially publishing this
information. All of this information will be kept confidential through being stored in an Echo
360 folder that is password protected and HIPAA compliant. Your recording will also be
destroyed at the end of the study.
Reimbursements
There are no reimbursements to the study, however, participation will help the researchers garner
a greater understanding of how institutions may be able to assist educators who have experienced
unwanted or persistent online contact from a current or former student(s).
IRB Approval
This study (Protocol #28-010) has been approved by the Institutional Research Board at the
University of Mississippi and is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Kimberly Kaiser,
Associate Professor and Interim Department Chair, Department of Criminal Justice and Legal
Studies.
Right to Refuse or Withdraw
You are not obligated to take part in this study. Should you choose to participate, you can
withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
Video Recordings
As stated above, your interview recording will be kept confidential through storage in a
password protected folder in Echo 360.
The researchers will then transcribe your interview. Once all of the participant interviews are
transcribed, the researchers will analyze the data using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis
(IPA). This type of analysis is used in qualitative research in order to explore individuals' unique
life experiences.
Upon completion of the project, all interview recordings will be destroyed. Additionally, you are
able to request erasure of your video at any time throughout the process.
Who to Contact
For further questions, please feel free to reach out anytime to:
Rebekah Reysen, PhD
Criminal Justice Doctoral Student
University of Mississippi
rhreysen@olemiss.edu
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Statement of Consent
I have read the above information. I have been given an unsigned copy of this form. I have had
an opportunity to ask questions, and I have received answers. I consent to participate in the
study and I certify that I am 18 years of age or older.
CLICK ON THIS LINK IF YOU AGREE TO PARTICIPATE:
https://qualtrics.sacredheart.edu/jfe/form/SV_0eWLwujADeKczHw
By continuing with the study, you are consenting with participating in the study (will take
participant to Qualtrics).
Information that will be requested in Qualtrics:
Please enter your:
Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Thank you! The Interviewers will contact you right away about setting up a time to zoom. We
appreciate your participation!