Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Post-partum Depression Study

Opportunity to Participate in a Research Study on Postpartum Depression

A study investigating women’s experiences of pregnancy after recovering from Postpartum Depression is being conducted. Candidates for participation are women who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe Postpartum Depression by a mental health or medical professional and then had a child after recovering from that depressive episode. All participants must have given birth between nine and twenty-four months ago (i.e. their most recent child is between nine months and two years old) and be free from symptoms of Major Depression at the time of participation.

This study is comprised of a short, 10-15 minute phone interview consisting of some demographic questions (e.g. age, ethnicity, date of initial diagnosis, current psychological functioning). Additionally, some women may be asked to participate in two 1-2 hour audiotaped interviews to take place in a private, convenient location of their choice. The first interview will consist of questions aimed at gathering information on the experience of pregnancy after recovering from Postpartum Depression. The follow-up interview will be used to clarify ideas that arise from the first interview and will provide a chance to gain new information that may have been left out in the first interview. Women who participate in the 1-2 hour interviews will be compensated with a $5.00 Target gift card after each interview. Additional benefits of the study include informing mental health professionals about the process of preparing for another child as well as another potential episode of Postpartum Depression. In this way, professionals can be better informed of what women find helpful, what is not helpful, and what they wish they would have done differently. This information has the potential to enable professionals to aid other women who are in similar situations. Your participation in this research is completely voluntary and confidential. You may choose to withdraw from the study at any time.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Amanda Delsman, Doctoral Candidate at the American School of Professional Psychology/Argosy University, Twin Cities, via email at adelsman@msp.stu.argosy.edu or via telephone at 651-492-3572.

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