• Exploring Emotional and Cultural Appeal of Contemporary Paranormal Romance Films Among Young Women

    A Survey Analysis

  • ADULT CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY

    Exploring Emotional and Cultural Appeal of Contemporary Paranormal Romance Films Among Young Women

  • SUMMARY INFORMATION

    Things you should know about this study:

    • Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the cultural and emotional appeal of contemporary paranormal romance films among young female readers.
    • Procedures: If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey.
    • Duration: This will take about 15-20 minutes.
    • Risks: The main risk or discomfort from this research is possible mild discomfort from questions that may be emotionally sensitive.
    • Benefits: The main benefit to you from this research is that you may enjoy reflecting on your paranormal romance film-watching experience.
    • Alternatives: There are no known alternatives available to you other than not taking part in this study.
    • Participation: Taking part in this research project is voluntary.

    Please carefully read the entire document before agreeing to participate.

    PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

    The purpose of this study is to investigate the underlying cultural desires and psychological needs that are expressed through the engagement of young female readers with contemporary romance films. Through examination of how young female readers interpret and connect themes such as magic, power, and forbidden love, the emotional and cultural appeal will be revealed.

    NUMBER OF STUDY PARTICIPANTS

    If you decide to be in this study, you will be one of 30 people in this research study.

    DURATION OF THE STUDY

    Your participation will involve 15-20 minutes of your time to complete the survey. 

    PROCEDURES

    If you agree to be in the study, I will ask you to do the following things:

    1. Participants will complete an online survey about watching habits, feelings, and opinions regarding contemporary paranormal romance films.
    2. The survey will include multiple-choice and rating-scale questions about sub-genre preferences, emotions, and attraction to paranormal themes.
    3. The survey will take about 15-20 minutes to complete.
    4. No identifiable information will be collected from participants.
    5. Participation is voluntary; participants may stop at any time, skip questions they do not feel comfortable answering, and withdraw their data from the survey by contacting the researcher.
    6. This is a non-experimental study. 


    RISKS AND/OR DISCOMFORTS

    The study has the following possible risks to you:

    • Participants may feel mild discomfort or be triggered by certain questions that ask about emotional reactions or responses.
    • There are no other risks. 
       

    BENEFITS 

    The study has the following possible benefits to you:

    • There are no direct benefits that participating individuals can expect to receive, although participants may enjoy reflecting on their watching experience.
    • There is a gap in scholarly research on contemporary paranormal romance, as it is not taken “seriously” in the academic world.
    • The findings of this research study will reveal why contemporary paranormal romance films are so interconnected with younger generations; society will gain a better understanding of the psychological needs and desires of younger generations and the popular genre of paranormal romance.
       

    ALTERNATIVES 

    There are no known alternatives available to you other than not taking part in this study.   

    CONFIDENTIALITY

    The records of this study will be kept private and will be protected to the fullest extent possible. All data will be anonymized. Research records will be stored securely, and only the researcher will have access to the records. However, your records may be inspected by the course instructor or representatives from the College Board. The survey will be administered anonymously through a secure platform (Google Forms). Within one year of project completion, all files and raw data will be deleted. If the paper is published, only non-identifiable, summarized data will be included.

    RIGHT TO DECLINE OR WITHDRAW

    Your participation in this study is voluntary. You are free to participate in the study or withdraw your consent at any time during the study. You will not lose any benefits if you decide not to participate or if you quit the study early. The investigator reserves the right to remove you without your consent at such time that he/she feels it is in the best interest.

    RESEARCHER CONTACT INFORMATION

    If you have any questions about the purpose, procedures, or any other issues relating to this research study, you may contact:

     

    Laura E. Culjak
    20261139@nvnet.org
     

    IRB CONTACT INFORMATION

     If you would like to talk with someone about your rights of being a subject in this research study or about ethical issues with this research study, you may contact the project manager:

     

    Joseph McCallister
    mccallister@nvnet.org

  • I have read the information in this consent form and agree to participate in this study. I have had a chance to ask any questions I have about this study, and they have been answered for me.*

  • Informed Consent

  • Informed Consent Reminder

  • THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY!

    This study explores the underlying cultural desires and psychological needs expressed through young female viewers’ engagement with contemporary paranormal romance films.

    Participants will be asked to complete an online survey about their viewing/reading habits, feelings, and opinions related to paranormal romance films/literature.
    The survey includes multiple-choice and rating-scale questions focusing on:

    • Sub-genre preferences
    • Emotional responses
    • Attraction to supernatural or paranormal themes
    • Opinions regarding these themes

    The survey will take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.No identifying information will be collected. All responses will remain completely anonymous.
    Participation is entirely voluntary. You may:

    • Skip any questions you do not wish to answer
    • Stop participating at any time
    • Withdraw your data after completion by contacting the researcher directly

  • Demographics

  • Reminder that participation is voluntary. You may skip any question you do not feel comfortable answering or stop at any time.

  • What gender do you identify as?
  • Please select the option that best describes your current relationship status.
  • What is your highest level of education?
  • How do you engage with paranormal romance stories?
  • What are your favorite sub-genres of paranormal romance?
  • Which romance tropes do you enjoy most in paranormal romance stories?

  • Emotional Needs

  • Reminder that participation is voluntary; you may skip any question you do not feel comfortable answering or stop at any time.
    If you feel upset or uncomfortable at any point, reach out for support.
    U.S. Mental Health Resources:

    • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
    • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
    • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

    If you're outside of the U.S., contact your local or national mental health hotline.

  • How often do you have meaningful interactions with others?
  • How often do you feel a sense of belonging among your peers?
  • How satisfied do you feel with your real-life relationships?
  • How, if at all, do supernatural romance stories affect your emotional experiences?
  • I worry about being abandoned.
  • I get nervous when partners get too close.
  • I find it difficult to trust others completely.
  • I am uncomfortable opening up to romantic partners.

  • Attraction to Supernatural and Fantasy Themes

  • Reminder that participation is voluntary; you may skip any question you do not feel comfortable answering or stop at any time.
    If you feel upset or uncomfortable at any point, reach out for support.
    U.S. Mental Health Resources:

    • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
    • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
    • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

    If you're outside of the U.S., contact your local or national mental health hotline.

  • How appealing do you find supernatural relationships (e.g., between humans and vampires, angels, or werewolves) compared to ordinary relationships?
  • How appealing do you find characters who are mysterious or unpredictable in supernatural romance stories?
  • I enjoy the emotional intensity and drama in supernatural relationships.
  • I often imagine myself in the place of a character in a romance story.
  • How appealing do you find fictional relationships where one partner has more power or strength than the other?

  • Opinions and Perspectives

  • Reminder that participation is voluntary; you may skip any question you do not feel comfortable answering or stop at any time.
    If you feel upset or uncomfortable at any point, reach out for support.
    U.S. Mental Health Resources:

    • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
    • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
    • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

    If you're outside of the U.S., contact your local or national mental health hotline.

  • What kind of romantic qualities do you find most appealing in supernatural characters? (Select all that apply)
  • In your opinion, how do paranormal romance stories portray traditional gender roles?
  • Which of the following do you think contributes to the appeal of supernatural romance? (Select all that apply)
  • To what extent do you agree or disagree with the idea that some readers may be drawn to supernatural romance because everyday relationships feel predictable?

  • Debrief Statement

  • THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

    Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your responses are greatly appreciated and will contribute to a better understanding of how contemporary paranormal romance literature relates to the emotional and cultural experiences of adolescent and young adult females.

    PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY

    This study examines the underlying cultural desires, emotional needs, and personal motivations that may influence why young women are drawn to paranormal romance stories. By analyzing preferences, reading habits, and emotional responses, this research explores what these narratives might reveal about modern values, fantasies, and relational expectations.

    WHAT WAS BEING STUDIED

    Throughout the survey, you were asked questions about:

    • Your preferences for certain tropes and themes
    • Your emotional reactions and motivations
    • Your perceptions of supernatural characters and relationships
    • Your interest in paranormal romance

    CONFIDENTIALITY REMINDER

    All of your responses are comlpetely anonymous. No identifying information was collected, and your answers will be stored securely and used only for this research project. Results will be reported only in summary form (e.g., overall percentages or themes), never individually.

    RIGHT TO WITHDRAW YOUR DATA

    Participation in this study is voluntary.
    If you decide that you no longer want your responses included in the research, you may withdraw your data within three weeks of completing the survey.

    To withdraw your data, contact me directly at:

    Laura E. Culjak
    📧 [20261139@nvnet.org]

    Please include the approximate date and time you completed the survey so your anonymous submission can be located and removed.

    QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

    If you have any questions about the study, your participation, or your rights as a participant, feel free to contact me at the e-mail listed above.

  • Thank you for your participation.

    You may now exit the survey.

  • Thank you for participating. You may now exit the survey.

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