Information page

Info statement for the research project

What it's all about?

You are invited to participate in the SMS4dads research project which is being conducted by Dr. Richard Fletcher, Faculty of Health and Medicine at the University of Newcastle.
This study is designed to test a phone based support system that sends information to fathers during their transition to parenthood. The study will also test an associated, phone based system which monitors a father’s stress and links those who need support to appropriate services.

Why is the research being done?

The purpose of this research is to test a system for sending informative text messages to expectant and new fathers. These messages will often include links to further information and are intended to provide information, motivation and practical advice on child development, parenting, family support, and family relationships.

The study will also test an associated system for monitoring fathers’ psychological well-being and responding when they indicate that they are experiencing high levels of stress.

Who can participate in the research?

You can participate in this research if you are over 18 years of age and you are a father who is either expecting a child within the next 6 months or if you have become a new parent within the last three months. Only fathers who have a mobile phone capable of receiving and sending text messages can participate in the study.

What would you be asked to do?

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to:

Providing some information about your child and you, such as date of birth, expected date of birth, phone number and email address.
Complete a brief survey about your current state of stress and experience of becoming or being a father.
Receive regular text messages, 14 per month (2 to 5 per week) over a period ranging from 12 to 52 weeks.
Participate in an online survey at the end of the study.
Randomly selected participants, who consent to do so, will be asked to participate in a phone interview - at a convenient time - at completion of the study.
Pass some information about the study onto your parenting partner.
- - This information will ask your partner if she would like to participate in an associated study.

What choice do you have?

Participation in this research is entirely your choice. Only those people who give their informed consent will be included in the project. Whether or not you decide to participate, your decision will not disadvantage you and will not affect the antenatal and/or postnatal care your partner and baby will receive.

Participants can withdraw from the project at any time by texting “Stop” to SMS4dads. Participants can withdraw without giving reason and all the information provided by the participant for this research will be destroyed. However, participants who withdraw will receive a final text asking why they withdrew. If withdrawing participants respond to this text the information provided will be stored in de-identified files, not linked to them in any way.

How much time would it take?

Questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study usually take about 10 minutes to complete. Reading and responding to text messages should take no more than a minute or two on each occasion.

What are the risks and benefits of participating?

We hope that participants will find benefit from the information that they receive through the text messages. However, there is potential that the information in text messages or questionnaires could raise discussion about distressing issues, encourage distressing thoughts, or contribute to existing emotional or psychological issues.

If you do become distressed through participation in this study you are encouraged to seek support through the agency that provided you with this information letter or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the NSW Mental health line on 1800 011 511 from anywhere in Australia.

How will your privacy be protected?

Any information collected by researchers which might identify you will be stored securely and only accessed by the researchers unless you consent otherwise, except as required by law. Data will be retained for at least 5 years at the University of Newcastle.

How will the information collected be used?

The study outcomes may be used to develop a better understanding of how to support fathers during the time before and after the arrival of a new baby. Study outcomes may also be published in journal articles or presented at conferences. Individual participants will not be identified in any reports arising from the project. A summary of the research results will be available to you upon request. You can either request this information on the attached survey or request this information by mailing or emailing Dr Richard Fletcher.

What do you need to do to participate?

Complete the attached surveys and consent form and return them the study in the accompanying reply paid envelope.

OR

You can complete the surveys and consent forms online at SMS4dads.com or send a text message to 0437281215 indicating your interest in the study and we will then call you and arrange to complete these surveys and take your consent over the phone.

Further information

If you would like further information please contact Richard Fletcher on (02) 4921 6401.

Thank you for considering this invitation.

Richard Fletcher, Chief Investigator

Complaints about this research

This project has been approved by Hunter New England Health’s Research Ethics Committee, Reference No. 15/09/16/4.07. Should you have concerns about your rights as a participant in this research, or you have a complaint about the manner in which the research is conducted, it may be given to the researcher, or, if an independent person is preferred, to the Hunter New England Area Health Research Ethics and Governance Unit, HNEAHS District Headquarters, Lookout Road, New Lambton NSW 2305, Australia, telephone (02) 49214950, or email at hnelhd-hrec@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au