Initial Study Participants

Meredith College Associate Professor of psychology Betty-Shannon Prevatt and Associate Professor of Child Development Pamela Norcross are practitioners, researchers, and mothers who are interested in learning how to support pregnant people and new parents to enhance emotional wellbeing.

For the initial study, Dr. Prevatt and Dr. Norcross recruited pregnant people to complete three surveys answering questions related to their pregnancy and early parenting experiences. The first survey was completed by participants at approximately 8-12 weeks gestation. The second survey was completed at approximately 6 weeks postpartum. The third and final survey was completed at 6 months postpartum. The surveys included questions about the mother’s social support network, prenatal care, and emotional wellness during pregnancy and after delivery.

In appreciation for participation in the study, each participant received an AIMSS water bottle, and an Amazon gift card for each completed survey.

Participants were patients of the Durham Women’s Clinic and Chapel Hill Obstetrics and Gynecology. The support of these practices was critical to the study, and very much appreciated by the research team.

The researchers are in the process of analyzing and documenting the results of this initial phase of the study. The intent is to publish results in 2026.