Well-Being Research Project: Toward a More Sustainable Workforce Consent Form

This is a two-phase study being conducted in selected units at Cornell University.

In Phase One, all staff in the selected units were invited to participate in online surveys that measured the sense of meaning, the frequency of engagement, and the amount of positive emotion at work.

Phase Two of the research project is now available only to those respondents who completed all the online surveys in Phase One.

You are part of a Phase Two group (Group A) that has been randomly selected to participate in four simple exercises on the web (one exercise every two weeks) that are designed to raise positive emotion, engagement, and meaning. The four exercises include the following:
- Three blessings - builds gratitude
- Active constructive responding - builds social skills
- VIA strengths used in a novel way - encourages good character
- Positive service to others - encourages kindness and citizenship

These exercises are preceded and followed by surveys that serve as pre-tests and post-tests. They will be used for research purposes only. The research expectation is that there will be a correlated increase in health and well-being as a result of the exercises.

Anonymity: This study will report aggregated data only. The anonymity of respondents will be maintained and individual data will not be reported. Your individual data will be directly available to you after completing most surveys.

Voluntary Nature of Participation: Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with the University. If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.

Risks and Benefits of Being in the Study: We do not anticipate any risks for you participating in this study, other than those encountered in day-to-day life. The benefit to your participation is the acquisition of personal growth and development tools to enhance your well-being in daily life, and the acquisition of data to assess the effectiveness of the online exercises.

Compensation: There is no compensation for your participation.

I have read and understood the terms and conditions applicable to my participation in the Well-Being Research Project. By agreeing to these conditions, I am giving consent to the use of my personal data as described above.