Married couples with and without children needed for UQ study

Childless married couples and married couples expecting their first child are needed for a University of Queensland Psychology Department parenthood study.

Marital Relationships Study research assistant Carla Ward said two groups of couples were required for the study: married couples expecting their first child where the wife was fewer than 30 weeks pregnant; and couples who have been married fewer than 12 years, have no children (and are not pregnant) and are aged under 40.

Researchers are interested in studying the changes that take place in marital relationships over time.

Ms Ward said important changes often occurred to the marital relationship such as the advent of children, and couples dealt with these changes in different ways.

She said more than 50 couples had so far participated in the study. Incentives for participation include a free Parenting Seminar at the University of Queensland Family Centre on Saturday May, 10, 1997 (normally $50 per couple) only open to first-time parents participating in the study, a double movie pass for all participants and free baby-related goods and discounts to each couple expecting a child.

For more information, contact Ms Ward (telephone 3365 7294).