Early Parenthood with Arthritis: Understanding How Mental Health is Affected and Identifying Support Needs
Want to participate in this study?
Scientific Study Title:
Mental Health in Individuals with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases During the Transition to Parenthood: A Mixed Methods Study to Identify Associated Factors and Support Needs
Start Date:
2025
End Date:
2026
Why Do This research?
People with autoimmune arthritis face added challenges as new parents that can negatively impact their mental health. Our study aims to better understand the mental health of parents with a chronic illness, and identify support needs.
What Will Be Done?
Participants will be asked to fill out an online survey asking about their disease, symptoms, mental health difficulties they may have faced, parenting experiences, and how their healthcare providers can better support them.
Who Can Participate?
You will be eligible if you:
- Have autoimmune arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile onset arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), or arthritis from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or Crohn’s disease)
- Are at least 18 years old
- Have a child under 6 years old
Participation Involves:
- You will be asked to fill out an online survey (30-40 min) and you will receive a $15 gift card.
- A small group of participants will be invited to a virtual/telephone interview to get more in-depth information.
How to Join the Study:
If interested, please fill out our sign-up form here: www.ARDs-Parenthood.ca
A member of the research team will contact you to enroll you.
Want to Find Out More?
If you have questions about the study, you can contact us at: ARDs.Parenthood@rimuhc.ca
A member of our research team will then contact you.
This study has been approved by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Research Ethics Board (number).
The Research Team:
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Deborah Da Costa, PhD, Research Scientist, Psychology, Arthritis Research Canada (McGill University)
Co-Investigators:
Dr. Évelyne Vinet, MD, Ph.D., Rheumatologist, Clinical Researcher (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre), and Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, McGill University
Dr. Elham Rahme, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, McGill University
Dr. Francine deMontigny, Full Professor at Université du Québec en Outaouais (Nursing), Director of the Centre for Studies and Research on Family Health Intervention.
Dr. Mary De Vera, Senior Scientist and Associate Director of Training, Arthritis Research Canada Senior Scientist and Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Paul Fortin, Senior Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada and Rheumatologist, Clinical Researcher, and Professor at Université Laval.
Research Staff:
Monica Vaillancourt, Nicole Andersen
Funding Agency:
This study has been approved by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Research Ethics Board (number).
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
