Participant information for: Exploring how fathers feel when they are depressed during their partner’s pregnancy and up to two years after the birth of a baby.

What am I being invited to do?

You are being invited to take part in a research project that aims to find out more about how fathers feel when they are depressed during their partner’s pregnancy and up to two years after the birth of baby.

It doesn’t matter if you are a new dad or if you already have older children as long as:

  • you are over 16 years of age
  • your partner is pregnant or you currently have a baby under two years of age.

What will taking part involve?

If you agree to take part, after giving your consent, I will interview you to talk to you about your experiences of being a new father with depression.

The interviews will take place at a time to suit you. You can choose to speak to me:

  • over the telephone  
  • on a WhatsApp video call
  • on WhatsApp instant text messaging.

The interviews will last approximately one hour although WhatsApp text messaging interviews may take longer. Interviews will be audio recorded and transcribed. 

What are the benefits or disadvantages of taking part in the research? 

There are no direct benefits or disadvantages to taking part in this research nor are there any payments. However, the researcher hopes the results of this research can be used to inform care for fathers suffering from perinatal depression.  

During interview, you may consider using Wi-Fi to prevent data charges being incurred. 

Are there any potential risks to participants? 

The sensitive nature of the subject matter, involving depression, may lead to you thinking about issues that may cause you distress. Should you become distressed, I will:

  • listen and allow you time and space to talk
  • respond with empathy
  • ask you how the issue could be supported best
  • signpost you to an appropriate service.

However, if it becomes apparent that you are in a mental health crisis, I will contact your next of kin and/or the appropriate service.  

If any of the information contained on this page has led to the need for you to speak with a support service there are a number of helpful services listed on the website under Helpful Services. You can also access the distress policy for this study on this website under Policy.

Do I have to take part? 

No, taking part in this research is entirely up to you. The consent you give asks for permission to use your data. This data includes recordings notes and transcripts from your interview and personal data such as your name and contact details.  

Consent for the researcher to use your interview data can be withdrawn up to seven days after your interview. At this point interview data will be anonymised and it will no longer be possible to know who the data belongs to. Personal data will be kept separately to interview data and will be destroyed upon completion of the project or upon withdrawal from the study.

You do not have to discuss any topics that you are uncomfortable with and can pause, postpone or stop the interview at any time.  

How will the information I give be kept confidential?  

At Edge Hill, we are committed to respecting and protecting your personal information. To find ways in which we use your data, please read our privacy notice.

The University is committed to ensuring compliance with current data protection legislation and confirms that all data collected is used fairly, stored safely, and not disclosed to any other person unlawfully. The University is a data controller and, in some instances, may be a data processor of this data. 

Your participation will be kept strictly confidential and all data collected from your interview will be anonymised. Any identifying information such as your name and contact details will be held separately from any interview data. Audio recordings will be securely stored until they are anonymised, transcribed and destroyed at the end of the study. Direct quotes and themes may be used by the researcher, but it will not be possible to identify you personally as steps will be taken to protect your anonymity.   

All data will be stored on Edge Hill University OneDrive provided by Edge Hill University and their IT Services department in accordance with the University’s Data Management and Sharing policy.  

The researcher will adhere to the policies at Edge Hill University in conjunction with GDPR guidelines (2018) for procedures concerning the handling, processing, storing and destroying of the collected data. In accordance with the 2018 GDPR Regulations and Edge Hill University data storage policies. 

Should you disclose any information about illegal activity, or safeguarding concerns, the researcher is duty bound to report it to the relevant authorities. 

You can find out more about how your information will be used by visiting the ‘Policy’ section of the website 

Who is conducting this research? 

This study is supported by Edge Hill University. The lead researcher on this project is Emma Humes, a PhD student and Graduate Teaching Assistant at Edge Hill University in the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine.  

Who has reviewed this research? 

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee at Edge Hill University 

What will happen to the information I provide? 

The anonymised information you provide may be used to support future research. It will be used to complete the researcher’s PhD thesis, published in academic journals as well as presented at conferences and events. 

What do need to do next if I want to take part? 

If you would like to participate in this research, you will need to complete an online consent form which can be found on the website under ‘Consent to Participate’

What if I have any concerns about this study?

We do not anticipate any problems but would take any concerns raised very seriously. You can contact the principal researcher or the Director of Studies using the contact details below. Alternatively, you can contact the independent point of contact listed below.

Principal Researcher:                                                                         

Emma Humes (PhD Student)                                                               
Edge Hill University                                                                                
Faculty of Health & Social Care                                                            
St Helens Road, Ormskirk
L39 4QP

[email protected]
07895 764773  

Director or Studies:

Dr. Lesley Briscoe
Edge Hill University                                                                               
Faculty of Health & Social Care                                                            
St Helens Road, Ormskirk
L39 4QP

[email protected] 

Independent Point of Contact:

Professor Clare Austin
Associate Dean for Innovation and Research
Edge Hill University                                                                               
Faculty of Health & Social Care                                                             
St Helens Road, Ormskirk
L39 4QP

[email protected]
01695 650772