Informed Consent Letter Paper-Based Survey

Dear

I would like to ask for your help in a study of couples who have recently become parents.
This study is part of my dissertation research project I am completing as a doctoral
candidate in the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Florida. As a
parent of a toddler, I certainly remember how valuable your time is to you during that
first year after your baby's arrival. Therefore I greatly appreciate your taking the time to
help with my research.

It is my understanding you had your first baby sometime in the last year. I am contacting
couples to ask them about how they are adjusting to parenthood, how they complete
various tasks related to caring for their baby and their household, and how they handle
conflicts. Participation in the study involves completing the enclosed survey booklet, and
takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You may instead complete an Internet version of the survey
if you would prefer: You can access the survey at
http://plaza.ufl.edu/lmccarth/survey.htm.

Caring for a baby is often both fulfilling and stressful for new parents, and many family
professionals and specialists have been working to help ease the transition to parenthood.
Unfortunately, we still have little information about how couples (both mothers and
fathers) cope with the changes that come along with becoming a parent. Results from this
survey will show us more about what helps couples with these changes, so we can find
ways for this transition to be less stressful for couples.

If you agree to participate, your answers will be kept confidential to the extent provided
by law and will be released only as summaries in which no individual's answers can be
identified. When you return your completed questionnaires, your names will be deleted
from the mailing list and never connected to your answers in any way. This survey is
voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time. However, you can help me very much by
taking a few minutes to share your experiences and opinions about your relationship and
new parenthood. If for some reason you prefer not to respond, please let me know by
returning the blank questionnaire in the enclosed stamped envelope. I will be able to use
your responses to the survey only if your spouse completes the survey as well. If you take
part in this study, please do not discuss your responses with your spouse until both
surveys have been sealed in the enclosed envelope.

For the purpose of this study, only married couples who are sharing a household are
eligible to participate. Couples must have one child between the ages of 2 months and 13
months. Unfortunately, if either partner has another child, you will not be able to
participate in the study.

There are no anticipated risks, and no direct benefits for participating in this study.
However, participating in the study may help you to better understand how you and your
partner are adjusting to parenthood. All participants will also have the option to attend a
presentation or receive written information about how couples strengthen their marriages
across the transition to parenthood. Lastly, I have enclosed a small token of appreciation
as a way of saying thanks for your help.