Procedures
Several hospital staff nurses, identified as informal members of the research team, aided in the recruitment of potential subjects. As part of the ongoing larger study, staff in-services kept the staff aware of the research aim and goals. Posters were placed in labor and delivery and postpartum units reminding staff of the study. For adolescents younger than the age of 18 years, self-assent and consent via parent or guardian, were required and obtained prior to involvement in the study. Adolescents 18 years and older consented for themselves. A copy of the consent
was provided to the adolescent/guardian and to the researcher. Adolescents were contacted by
either the PI or a registered nurse graduate research assistant (GRA) for data collection. The number of GRAs varied by semester: between one and five.All GRAs received a 3-hour orientation by the PI about study objectives, data collection methods,measurement tools, sensitive data, and procedures prior to the collection of data. Data collection took approximately 45 minutes per subject. Data collectors remained in the room during the completion of the paper copy surveys in case of questions and provided resources and referrals as needed. A medical staff member (physician) of the research team and the PI were available for follow-up or intervention as needed, such as with verbalized thoughts of harm to self or infant. Community resources focused on depression were also provided. Following enrollment into the study, all adolescents upon request received printed information on parenting and newborns in their preferred language. Questionnaires and consents were stored separately at the PI’s academic institution in a locked filing cabinet. Policy at the institution requires data to be kept for 3 years.