Participant Information Sheet
You are being invited to participate in a survey, which forms part of a research study looking at the experiences and mental health and wellbeing of new trainees and in particular future submariners at HMS Raleigh.
Please read this carefully as it contains important information about the purpose of the study and what it will involve.
You are welcome to ask the research team any questions before taking part and you may discuss this with your friends, family and medical officer before deciding.
Taking part is entirely voluntary. Whether you decide to take part or not, this will not affect you in any way.
What is the purpose of the research?
This study wants to understand the experiences and mental wellbeing of trainees starting at HMS Raleigh, with a particular focus on those volunteering or selected for the submarine service. The study wants to follow participants over a 12 month period, to look for any changes in mental health status. It will involve completing two surveys, a year apart. Some submariner trainees will be invited to take part in an interview (more details below). This study aims to provide the Royal Navy with recommendations to improve the mental wellbeing of trainees, which will enhance their readiness for operations, and improve retention and satisfaction of trainees.
Who is doing this research?
This study is being led by Dr Max Slavin, who is a serving military psychiatrist and submariner, as part of his academic study at King’s College London. He is being supported by a team of expert supervisors, and the study has been approved by the submarine service and the MOD.
Why have I been invited to take part?
All new trainees at HMS Raleigh are being invited to participate in this study.
Do I have to take part?
No, participation is entirely voluntary.
What will I be asked to do?
If you agree to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form and provide us with your name and contact details. You will then be emailed a link to an online questionnaire which will take around 30 minutes to complete. Along with the link to the survey, you will be emailed a unique identifier code, which you will put into the survey. This means no one will be able to tell who has filled in the survey apart from the research team and you.
This survey will ask questions about you, your health and lifestyle. This is a long survey, and you do not have to complete it in one sitting. You can log in to complete within a 28 day period. If Command provide any opportunity to complete this survey during the working day, this will still be entirely voluntary. You can stop the survey at any time and you do not have to answer all the questions, if any make you uncomfortable.
12 months after completing the survey, you will be contacted either by phone or email to complete a second survey. This will be slightly shorter than the first, but will include a section allowing you to tell us about aspects of your training. If you are a future submariner, you may be invited to take part in an interview with the researcher.
Finally, as part of the consent form, you will be asked whether you will allow the research team to contact you in future about a potential follow up study, which would look at how your mental wellbeing has changed since the end of this study. Again, this is entirely voluntary and you can participate in this study without consenting to being contacted afterwards.
What will the survey ask about?
The survey will ask questions about your background, mental health and wellbeing, your physical health and lifestyle choices, and some questions about your personality and neurodivergent traits. These questions are for research purposes only and are not diagnostic.
If I'm asked, what will happen in the interview?
If you are invited to an interview, this will also be entirely voluntary. If you agree, a suitable time and private setting will be found in HMS Raleigh. The interview will take approximately 60 minutes and will be informal. The researcher will ask you questions exploring your motivations and attitudes in your early Naval career, and explore how you think you trainees could be better prepared for life in the Fleet. The interview will be confidential, with the exception that if something comes up which poses a serious risk to you or others, the researcher will have to follow safeguarding procedures, but in this event you will be informed of any action. Some of the questions may sensitively cover topics including difficult things that may have happened to you in the past or during training; You will be able to not answer any questions, you do not have to answer any question, and you can stop at any time. You will be supported and signposted appropriately by the interviewer.
Are there any direct benefits to me of taking part?
No. This study will not benefit you directly, but participating will lead to a better understanding of the early experiences of military trainees and help the Navy identify how to support its people better.
What are the possible disadvantages (or risks) of taking part?
This study is not expected to have any disadvantages or risks. Some of the topics may be sensitive for some, and this might provoke some distress. If you feel uncomfortable answering any question, you can skip it without telling us why. If you find the survey distressing, information about how to seek support is below. We recognise the survey has a lot of questions, and it will take around 30 minutes to complete, and we are very appreciative of this.
The Chief Investigator is also a practising doctor; you will be entitled to ask not to see him clinically if you do not want to, having been a participant in this study.
Can I withdraw from the research and what will happen if I withdraw?
You can withdraw at any time without needing to give a reason, and withdrawing will have no effect on your career or healthcare. To do this, you can contact the chief investigator. If you have filled in a survey, this data will be used unless you request us not to use it.
Will I receive any expenses or payments?
You will not be paid for taking part in this study, and taking part should not cost you any money.
Will my taking part or not taking part affect my career?
Absolutely not. Your chain of command will not know whether you have taken part or not.
Who do I contact if I have any questions?
Name: Dr Max Slavin
Address: Institute of Naval Medicine, Crescent Road, Alverstoke.
Tel No: 07840332132
Email: [email protected]
Who do I contact if I have a complaint?
Name: Dr Mike Russell
Address: Coltman House, DMS Whittington, Lichfield, WS14 9PY
Tel No: 07812062910
Email: [email protected]
What happens if I suffer any harm?
If you suffer any harm as a direct result of taking part in this study, you can apply for compensation under the MOD’s No-Fault Compensation Scheme.
Will my records be kept confidential?
Yes, your records will be securely kept, and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation.
Who has reviewed the study?
This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by the Ministry of Defence Research Ethics Committee (MODREC).
Further Information and Contact Details Name :
Dr Max Slavin
Address : Institute of Naval Medicine, Crescent Road, Alverstoke.
Tel No : 07840332132
Email : [email protected]
Compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki This study will be conducted in accordance with the principles defined in the Declaration of Helsinki 1 as adopted at the 64th WMA General Assembly at Fortaleza, Brazil in October 2013