BabySTEPS: Supportive Texts to Empower Parents

• This is a time of transition, and transitions are stressful for many people.
• Many new mothers have questions and concerns about drinking alcohol during this time.

BabySteps has developed a supportive messaging program to help with the stress of having a new baby, and we want feedback from mothers like you. BabySteps is a research study. Our goal is to create a messaging program that can provide help and support to new mothers.

If you have recently had a baby, you may be able to help us by answering some questions every day about your experiences as a new mother.

How it works:

Watch this short video for an overview of the BabySteps study.

As a study participant, you will complete one introduction survey online, and then you will download a free app to begin receiving short mobile surveys and supportive messages five times a day for four weeks. Each survey will ask you questions about motherhood, drinking, and stress levels throughout the day, and should only take a couple of minutes.

After these surveys you will receive supportive messages about motherhood, drinking and mental health.

When the four weeks are over, you will be asked to complete one final online survey. You may also be randomly selected to complete an interview with the study team to let us know what you thought about the text messaging program.

You will be paid for completing the surveys. Payment will be in the form of gift cards.

This study is fully online. All activities can be completed on your smartphone. You will not have to meet with the study team in person.

This project is being conducted by Partnership to End Addiction in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

If you are in your third trimester OR have recently given birth, you may be eligible to participate in the study. The first step is to fill out a short survey to see if you are eligible.

Did you start filling out the forms online but then decide you want to talk to a BabySteps researcher?

Just text BABY to 844-431-0001 to have a BabySteps researcher walk you through the process on the phone. We are here to support you!

What are the goals of the study?

The goal of the BabySteps study is to test a text messaging program that provides information and support to new mothers.

Is this study only for first-time moms?

No! All moms who have recently had a baby can participate, even if it’s not your first child.

How often will I get mobile surveys and messages?

During the study you will receive mobile surveys and messages five times a day for 28 days. After the study is over you will not receive any mobile surveys or messages.

How much time will the study take up?

Each text message survey will take 1-2 minutes, for a total of no more than 10 minutes per day. The introductory and final online surveys will take about 30 minutes each. The interview with the study team will take about 30 minutes.

Will I get paid to do the study/how much will I get paid to do the study?

• You will be paid in Amazon gift cards for each survey you complete.
• You will receive $25 in Amazon gift cards for the 30-minute introduction survey.
• You will receive $0.50 in Amazon gift cards for each of the daily short mobile surveys you complete.
  • If you complete 50% or more of the daily mobile surveys you will receive an additional $20 in Amazon gift cards, and if you complete 80% or more, you will received an additional $30 in Amazon gift cards.
• You will receive $25 in Amazon gift cards for the final online survey.
• You will receive $25 in Amazon gift cards for the interview, if randomly selected.

Do I have to have a phone or will one be given to me?

You must have your own smartphone AND be able to access the internet from your smartphone in order to participate in this study.

Can I answer the surveys in a language other than English?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide the surveys in any language other than English at this time, but we hope to in the future.

Will my information be kept confidential?

The study team has a system set up for keeping all study information confidential. It is described in detail in the consent form. The main thing to remember is that when you enroll in the study, you will be assigned a study ID number. All of the information you provide will be tied to that ID number and not to your name. Only the study researchers will know which client goes with which ID number. All of your answers to survey questions will be tied to your ID number and not your name or any other information that identifies you.

What if I want to stop the study before it ends?

You are a voluntary participant, meaning that you are free to stop participating in the study at any time. If you would like to stop participating in the study, please email the Principal Investigator Sarah Dauber at sdauber@toendaddiction.org.

Can I change my mind and withdraw permission to use or share my information?

Yes, you may withdraw or take back permission to use and share your information at any time. If you decide to withdraw permission, we will still include the information you gave us before deciding to withdraw. However, this information will only be used in aggregate, as part of the study data. We will not use any information that identifies you.

Why is my information being used?

Your information will be used by the research team and collaborators in order to conduct this study so that we may answer our research questions. A more detailed explanation can be found in the consent form.