Investigator: Amanda King (Research Student at Charles Sturt University). Contactable on 0425543400. Supervisor: Dr Andrew McGrath.

Contactable on (02) 6338-4591 or at the School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst NSW 2795 Supervisor: Associate Professor Anthony Saliba. Contactable on (02) 6933 2306 or at the school of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga NSW, 2678

Plain Language Statement Determinants of Mother-Infant Interactions, and Subsequent Emotional Distress My name is Amanda King and I am currently undertaking a PhD in Psychology at Charles Sturt University. A requirement of the course is the completion of a research project. For this, I am aiming to examine whether unmet parenting expectations influence infant interactions and adjustment to motherhood. Examining these relationships may be important for assisting mothers adjust to the parenting role. In order to examine parenting expectations the project is selectively recruiting women who have become mothers for the first time. In order to participate in the study, you need to be approximately 6 months postpartum. Further, in recognition that the postpartum may be a stressful period for new mothers, to be eligible to participate in this project you must be over the age of 18, and had experienced a normal pregnancy. Participation involves the completion of an online questionnaire. These questionnaires will ask questions about your expectations and experiences of social support, breastfeeding, confidence as a mother and infant personality. A number of questions will also examine feelings of distress, as well as interactions with your infant. These questions have no right or wrong answers. The questionnaire should take approximately 35 minutes to complete, and needs to be completed in one sitting. Individuals who participate in the study, and are currently located in Australia will receive a double movie pass. Thus, it should be emphasised that while everyone is welcome to complete the survey, only those individuals who are currently residing in Australia will receive a double movie pass. Your response will remain anonymous and confidential. No potentially identifying information will be collected. All information will be stored securely on a password-protected computer. Participation in the study is voluntary and you are free to withdraw, or even refuse to answer any questions. In order to withdraw from the study, simply close the browser window. There is no penalty for withdrawing. To withdraw, you simply need to close the browser window. However, once you have submitted your questionnaire it will not be possible to withdraw due to the anonymous nature of the study. The study is funded by Karitane, however, any information collected during the course of this project is for the purpose of this research only. No information that could potentially identify a participant will be published. A summary of the results will be provided to institutions that helped advertise the study. While the project is not designed to provoke distress, if any discomfort arises during completion of the project, you are encouraged to contact Lifeline on 131114, or Parentline at http://www.parentline.com.au/. This service provides access to web based counselling, and provides state specific telephone contacts. If you have any further questions about the research project, feel free to contact me on 0425543400. Any concerns regarding the research can be directed to my supervisors Dr Andrew McGrath on (02) 6338-4591 or Associate Professor Anthony Saliba on (02) 6933 2306.

NOTE: This project has been approved by the Charles Sturt Universitys Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee though the Executive Officer: Executive officer Human research Ethics Committee Office of Academic Governance Charles Sturt University Panorama Avenue Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: (02) 6338 4628 Fax: (02) 6338 4194 Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the outcome. I would like to invite you to participate in the Investigation of Determinants of Mother-Infant Interactions, and Subsequent Emotional Distress project Thank you for your consideration Sincerely

Amanda King Karitane Research Student CSU University

Dr. Andrew McGrath Lecture in Psychology

Associate Professor Anthony Saliba CSU University