Parenting, Pets and Children Survey - Parents

Information for Parents

This study aims to how parents and children’s relationships with their pet cat or dog influences the wellbeing of children and how they get along with other people in their lives

Is participation voluntary?

• Yes! Participation in this study is completely voluntary and you and your child are free to withdraw by choosing not to submit the survey, with no consequences for you or your family.
• As your responses are anonymous it will not be possible to withdraw once you have submitted the online survey to the researchers.

Are there any risks involved?

• There is no risk to your health or physical functioning associated with doing the survey.
• While uncommon, parents and children can briefly feel upset when answering personal questions about parenting and child behaviour.
• If that happens, parents and children can skip to the next question.
• If you are worried about yourself or your child, please seek support. Contact details for some helpful support services are available on the study website.

How is our privacy and confidentiality protected?

• The survey is anonymous. This means you are not required to provide us with any names or contact details.
• The online survey is set up so that parents and children cannot see each other’s answers.
• Your and your child’s responses will be linked by a family ID number.
• Information will be used for published reports and presentations. No individual will be identifiable in any report of the study.
• All information we collect will be kept strictly confidential.
• At the end of the survey, you can enter a draw to win one of two $50 Coles/Myer voucher as a token of appreciation for your participation. The contact details you provide for the prize draw will not be connected to your survey responses. It is not compulsory for you to enter the prize draw.

What will children do?

• Complete a shorter parallel version of the anonymous survey that asks similar questions to the parent survey. They will be asked about their relationship with their cat or dog, their own feelings and behaviour, how they get along with other children and the type of parenting strategies they experience.
• The survey will take around 10 minutes for your child to complete.

How do I give permission for my child to participate?

• On the last page of the survey, you will be asked whether you wish to invite your child to take part.
• If yes, please enter an email address for them. The online survey system will then email a link for the survey to your child.
• If you have more than one child in the age range (7 to 18 years), please invite the child with the next birthday.
• The email address will only be used to give your child access to the survey. It will be kept separate from your family’s survey answers. We will not be to access it.

What should I tell my child about the study?

If you agree to let your child participate in the study:

• Explain what the project is about and what their participation involves.
• Tell them that the survey link has been sent to their email address.
• It is a good idea to read and discuss the details of the child information with your child.

Important points for discussion:

• Their participation is completely voluntary.
• They do not have to answer all questions if they make them feel uncomfortable.
• Their answers should be private. It is better if you tell them that it is up to them if they wish to show you what they have answered.

I’m interested in doing the survey! What next?

• Click on ‘Start Survey’ below.
• Request a hard copy.