About the project

Who can take part in the project?

In particular, we would like to examine the impacts of the mosque attacks on those people most directly affected, even those who feel they have coped well.

This includes:

• Those present or nearby one of the mosques
• Close family members of one of the shuhada or injured
• Other members of the Christchurch Muslim community who were in Christchurch during or immediately following the attack, and who are currently living in Canterbury.

What will taking part involve?

If you agree to take part, you will have an interview with one of our Muslim research team (or, if you prefer, a non-Muslim interviewer) and a specialist research nurse. Interviews take about two hours and can be conducted in your preferred language.

The interview will include a clinical interview by one of our specialist research nurses, and three online questionnaires exploring your psychological and physical health, support networks, religious coping and some general questions about you and your family. There is also a section on the impact that COVID-19 has had on you and your family.

Interviews are now taking place either face to face or online through Zoom telehealth, a platform for online video conference calls. We use the complete range of security features on Zoom for your protection. We will not record any Zoom interviews.

If you prefer a face-to-face interview, we can arrange this.

• Participant information sheet (PDF)
• Telehealth information sheet (PDF)
• Consent form example (PDF)

We anticipate this will be the first stage of a long-term project exploring how people are coping over time. The first phase of interviewing closed at the end of 2021. A further phase is planned for five years after the attacks.

We are not currently recruiting participants.

Will there be compensation for time taken to be part of this project?

As an appreciation, each participant will receive a NZ$50 voucher for their time as part of this project.

What about anonymity and confidentiality?

We recognise that confidentiality is very important. All information provided will be treated in the utmost confidence. The research team have all received confidentiality training and have signed statements to say they will not discuss any research information with anyone outside of the research team.

Research information will be held securely on a computer in the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch for 10 years. Only staff directly involved in the project will have access to this information.

No identities will be revealed in any reports based on this project. All reports will be averaged and anonymous so individuals cannot be identified.

Is participation voluntary?

Yes.

Participation is entirely voluntary. Anyone taking part does not need to answer any questions they are not happy with. They can review and change their answers and can withdraw from the project at any time without giving a reason.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

The aim of this project is to gain a greater understanding of the impact of March 15 on those most affected, even those who feel they have coped well.

Following the interview, if there are any areas identified where other support may be needed, possible referral options will be discussed. This could be for community supports, help with practical issues, interventions through their GP, or other health specialists.

The knowledge gained from this project will help to build a resource for culturally competent health practices. The high visibility and interest in this project will help to focus attention on some of the difficulties the Muslim community may face and showcase the positive aspects of the response for which New Zealand and the local Muslim community have been praised. We also hope that information from this project can be used to help in the planning and recovery process in the event of similar situations, in New Zealand or overseas.

Who is running the project?

This research is being conducted by Professor Caroline Bell, Dr Ruqayya Sulaiman-Hill, Professor Richard Porter, Dr Ben Beaglehole, Professor Joseph Boden, and Dr Shaystah Dean, at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch; and Professor Philip Schluter, School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury.

The project has been approved by the Health and Disability Ethics Committee (Ethics reference: 19/NTA/147).

Who is funding the project?

This project has been funded by grants from the Health Research Council of New Zealand and Canterbury Medical Research Foundation

Full description of the project

Please see the information sheet for a full description of the project (PDF)

Jazakum Allahu Khair, Wa Asalaamu Alaykum.