The birth of a child is a life-changing experience that can turn everyday life upside down for many years. How parents cope with the challenges of pregnancy and parenthood has far-reaching consequences for their own health, the course of pregnancy and childbirth, the child’s development, their family and social relationships, and society.

Research in clinical psychology and medicine has shown that parental personality plays a crucial role in family planning, pregnancy, and the health of parents and their children. At the same time, studies in personality and social psychology have examined how parents‘ personalities and social relationships change before and after the birth of a child. However, there has been surprisingly little crosstalk between these lines of research.

We are a group of more than 20 scientists from clinical, personality, and social psychology and related disciplines (e.g., medicine, midwifery, and education). Funded by the German Research Foundation, we collaborate for several years to significantly advance our understanding of perinatal adjustment by combining these different lines of research. We aim to develop not only unique research opportunities, but also practical approaches to support (expectant) parents and their families. Learn more