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Perceived Online Social Support and Psychological Well-being Among Malaysian University Students

Informed Consent Form

Dear Participant, you have been invited to participate in the study described below. If you have any questions about this study, kindly contact the researcher (contact details provided below) for clarification.

Description of study:

This is a correlational study that aims to investigate the relationship between perceived online social support on social media and psychological well-being among Malaysian university students.

- Online Social Support is conceptually defined as the Internet-facilitated receipt of tangible and intangible assistance from friends, family, and others in one’s social circle (House, 1981). - Psychological Well-being is conceptually defined as the extent to which an individual fully realizes their human potential through self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, positive relations with others, environmental mastery, and autonomy (Ryff & Keyes, 1995).
Criteria to join this study:

- You are between the ages of 18-25

- You are a Malaysian university student.

Study Procedure:
If you chose to participate in this study, you will be required to read and provide your consent to confirm that your participation is voluntary.
Next, you will complete a short demographic form, the Online Social Support Scale (OSSS) and Ryff's 18-Item Psychological Well-being Scale. The study should not take longer than 15 minutes to complete.
Risks or discomfort: 
We do not predict that there will be any major risk to well-being from your participation in this study. However, if you feel any psychological distress during or after the study, you may reach out to:
1. Centre for Psychological and Counselling Services (CPCS)
cpcs.hu@help.edu.my / 03-78493200 Please note that CPCS only accepts clients by appointment.  2. Befrienders Kuala Lumpur 
sam@befrienders.org.my / 03-76272929
3. Chengal Centre
chengalcentre.com / 03-5633 8386 Please note that Chengal Centre only accepts clients by appointment.
4. Life Under Umbrella
WhatsApp at 016-7080595 / lifeunderumbrella@gmail.com Please note that Life Under Umbrella only accepts clients by appointment.
5. Peer Listeners
03-2787 6005 (English), 03-2787 6008 (Malay), or 03-2787 6011 (Chinese). Please note that Peer Listeners' hotline only operates from Friday to Sunday, 8pm to 11pm.
You may also contact your nearest healthcare provider if needed.
Voluntary Participation & Withdrawal
You may withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. If you do not wish to participate, simply exit this form without submitting.
Benefits of this study:
While there may not be any direct and personal benefit to you, your participation will help researchers learn more about the relationship between perceived online social support on social media and psychological well-being among Malaysian university students.
Confidentiality: Information collected from you in this study is anonymous. The answers to all questions you provide are private. No one can identify if you participated in this study and no one can find out what your answers were. Scientific reports made will be based on group data and will not identify you or any individual as being in this project.
Rights and complaints: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Review Board, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at HELP University [ERB Approval Code: UG/J26/41 ]. For any research-related problems, complaints, or questions regarding participants’ rights, please contact the Chairperson of the Ethics Review Board.
Chairperson, Ethics Review Board Department of Psychology Faculty of Behavioural Sciences Level 3, Block B HELP University – Subang 2 Persiaran Cakerawala, Seksyen U4 40150 Shah Alam Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia Email: psych.erb@help.edu.my Phone: +603 7849 3000
Researcher:
Loke J-Lynn
B1601103@helplive.edu.my

Research Supervisor:
Ms Foo Jiet Yan jietyan.foo@helplive.edu.my

I have read and understood the information provided above. I have had all my questions answereed to my satisfaction, and voluntarily agree to participate in this study

A
B