We have been sent details of three new research studies based in the UK that may be of interest to our members.
SAMMI Study
The SAMMI study is based at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit in Oxford. It is seeking to gather information in order to gain a better understanding of the psychological problems women may experience after a stillbirth.
The OPPTIMUM Study
Run by Professor Norman at Edinburgh University, it is looking into the effectiveness of prophylactic vaginal natural progesterone 200mg daily from 22-34 weeks gestation, compared to placebo in women at high risk of preterm labour.
How mothers experience personal growth after a perinatal loss
Olga Thomadaki, a bereaved parent herself, is conducting research for her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at City University with the title “How mothers experience personal growth after a perinatal loss”.The research has been approved by City University and is supervised by Fiona Bailey, CPsychol.
Olga is looking for mothers whose first baby was either stillborn or died within the first month of life between 1 and 5 years ago and who did not get pregnant again for at least year after their loss.
If you feel able to participate in Olga's research please contact Olga direct on thomadakio@hotmail.com or via the Message Boards (Username Olga).
Further details and an explanation of the research, why it is being carried out to enable you to make a decision whether or not you wish to participate in the study are below or you can download a copy by clicking here.
What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of growth after the perinatal loss of a baby. Growth can be broadly defined as any perceived positive change in an individual’s sense of self, relationships with others, or in one’s general philosophy of life. This study is developed to help counselling psychologists, health care and mental health professionals to better understand the essence of this experience. This understanding will promote their ability to offer support and valuable therapeutic interventions for those affected by such a traumatic loss.
Who can participate in the study and why?
In such research projects in order for the researcher to be better able to obtain meaningful and useful findings homogeneity in the characteristics of participants is very important. Without undermining your experiences, the importance of your loss, or the value of your feelings some inclusion criteria have been set. Mothers, whose first babies were stillborn or died within the first month of their lives, one to five years ago, and who did not get pregnant again for at least a year after their loss are invited to participate in the study. Your age, educational level, ethnic background, relationship status, sexual orientation or the method of conception are not among the participation criteria. The most important aspect is that you need to feel that you have something to say regarding my research question, something that you would like to share with me. So, if you feel reborn, grown, changed after coping with your baby’s loss you are invited to participate in this research.
If I participate, what will I have to do?
If you decide that you would like to be involved in this research project you will be asked to participate in a one-to-one interview with the researcher which will last for approximately an hour. The interview will be audio recorded and the researcher might also keep notes during this interview. You will be asked to complete a very brief demographic information sheet, and a consent form. You will keep a copy of the consent form and a resource pack which gives details of available support resources for bereaved mothers and their families.
What about confidentiality and anonymity?
This research follows the Code of Conduct, Ethical Principles and Guidelines published by the British Psychological Society (www.bps.org.uk). Confidentiality and anonymity are ensured throughout. No personal characteristics will be attached to the transcripts or the interview notes. All interview recordings, transcripts and notes will be kept in secure location with access permitted only to the researcher. All gathered information will be kept for the duration of the research only and then will be destroyed. The demographic information sheets and the consent forms will be treated in the same way. No names or identifying characteristics will be used in any reports or future publications.
What will happen with the findings of the study?
The findings of this research will be included in my Doctoral Thesis. In order to communicate my findings to health care and mental health professionals the study may be published in a scientific journal at a later date. In any of these cases, no names or identifying characteristics of participants would be included. Please let me know if you would like to receive a copy of the research findings.
If you have any further questions or wish to take part on the study please contact:
Olga Thomadaki, Counselling Psychologist in training, City University, on: 07891733634, or at thomadakio@hotmail.com
If you have any concerns or complaints on the study please contact:
Fiona Bailey, CPsychol., Department of Psychology, City University, on: tel.: 020 7040 4557, email: fiona.bailey.1@city.ac.uk