The purpose of this study is to find out how negative experiences during a mother's childhood can affect her pregnancy and her child's health and wellbeing.
Many people have faced tough times growing up, like being neglected or abused, and these experiences can have long-lasting effects on their health and emotions.
By understanding how these negative experiences impact mothers and their babies, the study aims to help doctors and nurses provide better care and support. This can lead to healthier pregnancies and happier, healthier children.
Who can participate?
If you're a mother of a child in ORIGINS, you're eligible to participate.
This study is eligible for both full and routine participants.
What does participation involve?
All participants will be required to:
- Answer 10 yes/no questions about your negative childhood experiences
- Answer 7 yes/no questions about your positive childhood experiences
Both questionnaires will take around 10 minutes to complete in total.
What are the benefits of participating?
By participating in ACE, you're heping researchers understand how bad experiences during a mother's childhood can affect her pregnancy and her child's health. This information can lead to better care and support for mothers and their babies in the future, and you may learn more about your own health in the process.
It's important to understand taking part in this study could involve answering personal questions that might feel uncomfortable. There might also be some minor risks, like feeling stressed or emotional when talking about past experiences.
If you experience feelings of distress or are worried about your emotional wellbeing, you can speak with your GP, visit https://www.beyondblue.org.au, or call the beyondblue Free Support Service on 1300 22 4636. Additional support is also available through Lifeline (24/7 crisis support: 13 11 14), the Suicide Call Back Service (24/7 counselling: 1300 659 467), the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (1300 555 788 metro; 1800 676 822 Peel; 1800 552 002 RuralLink), and the Here For You Support Line (mental health and alcohol/drug support, 7 am–10 pm: 1800 437 348). Specialised assistance is available via 1800RESPECT for family, domestic or sexual violence (1800 737 732), Carers WA for support and counselling for carers (1300 227 377), and the Child Protection and Family Support Crisis Care line for urgent matters (9223 1111 metro; 1800 199 008 regional). If you are in immediate danger or require urgent medical help, please call 000.
How to get involved?
Read the Patient Information Flyer and sign the electronic consent form here tocomplete your questionnaires online.
By signing the consent form, you agree to take part in the research study after understanding all the information provided in the Patient Information Flyer.
For more information, you can contact the research team at:
Ethics approval
Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has approved this study (HREC number HRE2025-0696). Should you wish to discuss the study with someone not directly involved, in particular any matters concerning the conduct of the study or your rights as a participant, or if you wish to make a confidential complaint, you may contact the Curtin University HREC at hrec@curtin.edu.au or on (08) 9266 7093.